2013 Won't Goals

I used a different approach to my yearly goal list for 2013. As an expert to-do list maker I have notebooks full of lists. This year, rather than compile a list of things I want to accomplish this year I decided to do the opposite. It’s a list of things I absolutely DO NOT want to find myself having done at the end of 2013.

Plus, it seemed kind of silly to make a list of goals - it would be exactly the same as the things I've been praying over since April. I'm constantly goal focused and planning, so I decided to add something to mix up how I'm measuring things.

Many wonderful things in my life I never plan on. Sometimes efforts to plan (and I put A LOT of effort into planning) get in the way of good things I’m not seeing. Or I use time and energy that would be better used by doing things rather than planning. And this way I've identified things that are NEVER going to be priorities this year - related to my goal to change the way I look at my time and prioritize my to-do's (this post).

And while there are many goals I could put on a resolutions list, in reality there are only a handful of applicable and realistic anti-goals that I don’t want to inflict upon myself in 2013. As long as I’m not doing them, I’m good, and I can check things off those ubiquitous to-do lists as desired. 

Bright things ahead. 

Won't to be Happy. 

Happy 2013!

On The Weather

I've always questioned the nursery rhyme's claim that the old man couldn't get out of bed because he bumped his head...he had every reason to stay warm in bed, it was raining and pouring. Now, I actually do like the rain. I have fond memories of my friend S and I taking walks around the block in the rain singing. I'm grateful Davis was the kind of place parents let 5 and 6 year-olds run around by themselves on the streets. I have many fond memories of rain, from California, to Utah, to Florida, to Paris, to Morocco, and Spain. But sometimes, sometimes, I loath it and wish I had bumped my head enough to stay in bed. Mostly the frustration related to proper rain gear. How does the saying go, there is no bad weather only improper preparation. I am frequently grossly unprepared for rain.

The road connecting W to eastern civilization is prone to flooding. Has been for as long as I remember. Always along the same stretch of road. Recently it was so bad my tires were splashing water all the way up the side of the onto the roof. It was a relief the little Fiat did not float off the road. 

But as it will (hopefully) rain for extensive periods of time until May I'm trying to head bumping and snoring, I'm all out of vacation so I have to get up in the morning. 

Christmas Tunes

I meant to post this weeks ago...but I ushered in the holiday season with D's annual Christmas concert. See last years here (including a lovely clip from a living room rehearsal I enjoyed). There was a perfect mix of hilarity and touching moments. Considering how things were going at the beginning of the month I was proud of myself for only tearing up a few times.

Afterwards N, D, & I went out for dinner. It also marked the one year anniversary of D starting his law firm, he's accomplished a great deal since last year's concert. Lovely times as always.

Clarity

Yesterday I had a marvelous epiphany. Sitting in the temple with good friends, C & T, as C received her endowment I was completely overcome by how grateful I was to be there with them. The thought flashed through my mind, “well why did you think you were still here?” Not that C specifically needed me, of all people, to be there but I needed to be there, for me. I found a reason behind something that has seriously been frustrating me for months, years even. Not that it is THE reason, but it is definitely A reason to still be here. For the first time I was relieved job applications have been rejected, ideal jobs have been offered to others, and that I haven’t been able to get out of town.

Moments prior, adorable temple workers asked how T & I knew C – flashback: I was not thrilled when I was called to be the Relief Society president for our local church unit (the previous time I did it basically ran away from my ward) only a month before T called me to ask about attending the missionary discussions with C. Even that calling had a bigger purpose, beyond simply humbling me. I have been immeasurably blessed to know these wonderful ladies for the last year and a half. It's nice to realize sometimes that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

Sitting quietly in my seat I had the same feeling I get when I turn the last page of a book I’ve loved reading. You know the feeling? Fulfilled, accomplished, enlightened, and knowing you’ll carry the story with you always.

The adorable sister missionaries were kind enough to take our photo.

I know you all can read my mind, and totally extrapolated potential meaning for the end of the book simile.
Sooooo, WHAT IS NEXT?

Exciting stuff!! Check back in January...or March...more likely April...hopefully by May. I got an invitation to interview in DC for a marvelous gig. Cross your fingers.