I Don't Like New Year's Resolutions, But I'm Going to Make Them Anyway

Hi Pretty Little Things! Right about now is the time of year when people usually make New Year's resolutions. I'm not a big fan of doing that, but I've read that it's perfectly fine to set goals for yourself. So I guess I should call this my Year 2011 Goal List. I encourage all of you to try this because it definitely gives you something to look forward to. I'm super excited about this because I want to improve on my overall mental wellness. I want to be a happier person and I want to make my life easier to love (not that it isn't already)!

1. I will be nicer to my dog, Blue.

I know this sounds weird, but sometimes I find that I tend to take my frustrations out on those around me when I am stressed. Dogs won't fight back or say anything back, so it's easy to lash out at him. I love animals; don't get me wrong. Sometimes though he's the only one there. Pets are supposed to make you happy and add meaning and an increased sense of well-being to your life. This article from WedMD gives awesome reasons everyone should consider having a pet. Blue is my Chow/Husky mix it still amazes me how much he always comes back to me and loves me regardless of my mood. He's a very loyal dog and I'm grateful to have him. :-)

2. D. James, my husband, and I will do something totally crazy and spontaneous at least once a month.

This one will most likely be my favorite. I always like to tell people, "D. James is still my boyfriend...I'm just married to him!" That's exactly how I feel about our relationship. He still makes me feel young (I mean like teenage young, lol), sexy, and alive! There's never a dull moment with him even if we aren't on good terms. Our fights can get really interesting, lol. He makes me feel fresh and new. It's kind of like that same feeling you get when you go on a date and your boyfriend lets every person around you know he's yours. *blushing* We've only been married for 2 yrs and 4 mos. Doing things totally unexpected keeps the relationship on fire. One hundred years from now I plan to still be mu husband's "girlfriend"! He's so freakin' awesome! :-)

Picture courtesy of lizblair.blogspot.com

3. ALWAYS wear super-cute workout clothes to the gym.

Ok, now I am not one to just up-and-go to the gym. Honestly, I don't like to work out, but I like looking good more than I hate working out so I will do it if motivated. One thing I found that motivates me is wearing cutie patootie clothes to the gym. One thing I can't stand is to see a beautiful woman in her man's old tee and tights...not leggings...on that damn treadmill! I see a lot of women wear inappropriate clothing and baggy clothing. Some of it it see-thru and some of it just looks downright tacky. All of that tends to make them look fat anyway and makes them look like they really don't want to be there. I always believed in dressing the part. Putting effort into what you do makes you enjoy and appreciate it. There is an AH-MAY-ZING article over at College Fashion that's great for helping all you PLTs find appropriate and cute work out gear. CF is one of my favorite sites and I suggest you guys go on over and check it out! Zephyr has done her thing!

Planner

4. I WILL be more organized!

My biggest problem in 2010 was time management. I'm not great at organization. I can get things done, but I do them my own way and they aren't always in the most organized manner. From someone else's POV, I can come off as being slightly messy...ok a lot messy. My backpack, purse, and jacket pockets are always a jumbled mess. For 2011, I will buy a leather-bound organizer/planner and USE IT! I had one this year, but it was cheap and I tore it up so badly, I couldn't really see what I had put in it. LOL. Bad, I know. It will be different this time. This article was very helpful to me. There are many like it, but I chose this one because it helps me organize my study time since I am a student. If you're good handling your study schedule, try other time management plans that can help out with your job, home, and family life. I find it to be really helpful and you can always go back and refer to it whenever necessary. So, in a nutshell, this goal is to be more organized, develop a functional study schedule, and try to always be on time. 

Boeing 787 Dreamliner

5. Travel as much and as often as possible.

I absolutely LOVE to travel. If I had a million bucks, that's what I'd do with it...well most of it. I believe that there are so many wonders, people, cultures, foods, and spectacles on Earth and what good are they if you can't go experience them? How can you know something if you don't see/try/experience it? God put so many things here for us to enjoy and I want to be a part of it all! Since I am a student, my time off is limited. But hey! I'm young, ambitious, and I don't have children yet so what better time than now, right? When I learn about new things, places, and people, I appreciate them more because I'm no longer ignorant (which means "not knowing" to those who like to confuse the word with something bad) to them. Also, I just love people. I've been told I'm a people-person so I know I was meant to serve others and promote unity and wellness. Anyway, these are some of my short term goals that I hope will develop into long-term, life changing adventures! 

My body is flooded
With the flame of Love.
My soul lives in
A furnace of bliss.
Love's fragrance
Fills my mouth,
And fans through all things
With each outbreath.
-Kabir