Monday, December 31, 2012

In 2012, I "dared" myself to take control of my life... to be proactive instead of living on autopilot, to start making conscious decisions about where I wanted my life to go and to then implement those decisions into positive actions that would improve the quality of my life.

Although I didn't accomplish everything I would have liked in 2012, I did meet Lyle and change jobs.  The impact of these two changes have made an amazing difference in my life!

I plan to continue directing my life in the upcoming year, but what I plan to really focus on in 2013 is being mindful.  Often times (most times, if I'm really being honest here), I find myself being so busy that I don't take time to enjoy the moment- to live in the here and now.  Instead of focusing on what is happening right now, I find myself thinking about a million other things, making mental lists, planning out the next moment and never fully giving myself over to the one at hand.

So this year, when I'm playing with JD, I want to concentrate just on that- every smile, every interaction, every new thing he learns or does.  When I'm talking with someone, I want to pay attention, ask questions and convey to that person that he or she is really important to me and worth focusing on.  When I'm cooking, I want to focus on the process- the sights and smells and tastes.  When I'm working, I want to give myself fully to my patients, paying close attention to their needs.  When I'm outside, I want to look around and appreciate the gifts that God has given me in nature- I want to see the beauty of the trees, smell the sweetness of the flowers, hear the buzzing of the bee, take pleasure in the flight of the butterfly. 

In 2013, I want to slow down and be mindful.

A little picture snippet of my life...

  My Car
 My beautiful Ashley- At Kalihari Resort in Sandusky, Ohio
 Ice cream of any kind is her favorite food!
 JD just entered the world
 Joey and JD- first day home
 Hope and Lyle- off to Colleen's wedding
 Hope being "goofy" in Orlando
 Paradise Point, St. Thomas
 Happy 20th to my lovely Shannon
 Sibling love
 My sweet JD
Two of my favorite guys and one jealous dog  :)