I love a new year!

Length Alert: This is a long post and is intended for my personal accountability. You are welcome to read, but prepare to be bored. ;)

New Year's is one of my favorite holidays! I love to look ahead with hopes, dreams, and goals. I also love to reflect on the past - it is a huge aspect of my introverted side! As I look back, I can't remember where I wrote my goals for 2012, but I do recall a few items. 1) my chosen word for 2012 was EMBRACE. I intended to embrace the challenges before me with more grace. Given the fact that I sort of forgot this intention part way through year, I am not sure I can say that I successfully engaged this goal. The challenges that I faced in 2012 are still reality and lead me to a embrace a different word that impacts those same challenges: LOVE.

Yes, love is a broad word, I know. But as I continue to walk this life journey, I see the need to love people differently - the people with whom I am in close relationship, and the people who I may not know well, but who represent contemporary needs in our society. At least three of my 2013 goals directly relate to developing love: 1) the scripture I plan to memorize and apply; 2) the books I hope to read, analyze, and apply; and 3) the mentoring relationship with which I am already engaged. This love that I speak of must mature from the inside-out to be truly transformational.

Another 2012 goal included healthy cooking via new recipes. I did not create "SMART" goals (i.e., specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time bound), and as I already mentioned, I did not record my ambiguous 2012 goals. That said, I did try lots of new, healthy recipes for about six months of 2012. Then, I burned out and decided I really needed to go on a serious, rigid diet. On October 13, 2012, I began the Ideal Protein program through my medical clinic. It is one of my best decisions of 2012. I am half way to my goal of 63 pounds by March 22, 2013. Obviously, this is one of my 2013 goals - along with maintaining the weight loss through the end of 2013. Along those lines, I intend to maintain low carb/nearly no sugar diet for a life time. Crazy, I know, but this goal indicates how much better I feel by cutting out these two toxic aspects from my diet.

All health goals must include exercise. Grrrr. I hate that! So, I plan to add some level of both strength training and cardio training into my new lifestyle. I will begin by adding strength via hand weights during my favorite TV shows. Ha! I also like what I hear about the "slow burn" method. Sounds doable. My goal is to be engaging in strength training 3 times per week, as a habit by year's end. I plan to add cardio 3 times per week, as well, and this is linked to my next goal: Read  more.

I have an extensive read list relating the marriage, parenting, theology, social justice, and invigorating fiction. My list is growing and changing on Goodreads. I plan to tackle my reading in part while I am exercising. Between my reading list, and a few TV series on Netflix, I am hoping to tackle my strength and cardio goal with joy.... A few months ago, I mentioned a hiking goal, and I am still pondering this goal.

My reading goals also include books and articles directly related to my work and career. Two and half years into my job at NNU, and I feel invigorated to take it to the next level (whatever that really means!). I considered beginning a doctoral program, but I don't think the timing is right for that commitment. Instead, I have plenty of freedom to create new programs and improve upon current programs now. I am excited to improve and develop professionally; to engage more actively with students who need academic assistance. I hope to develop additional plans for several different groups of students with whom I am called upon to invest. I also plan to participate in educational research at some level. Finally, I hope to teach Cornerstone again in the fall. With that, I have many areas to develop in order to improve in this area - including active learning plans, developing rubrics, and increasing my usage of technology.

Well, that is about it! My goals are ambitious, I think, but doable. I am ready for 2013 - let's do it!

Another Purpose for My Grand New Goal

Throughout the school year, I sit across the table from college students who are struggling with motivation issues. I often hear myself asking these students, "Why are you pursuing this education? Tell me about your goals. How much are you willing to sacrifice for those goals?" Some of the best things in life are difficult to attain - a college education; strong, healthy relationships with God, friends and family; a fulfilling career; fill-in-the-blank ________________.

For me, education comes easy, and my motivation is naturally high. BUT, I am NOT extremely motivated to eat healthy and exercise. Some of the students I advise are athletes. I often compare drive on the athletic field with drive in the classroom. Great athletic accomplishments require great discipline, sacrifice, and motivation. Student athletes at the collegiate level understand this concept well. More than once, while having this conversation with student athletes, I am convicted of my lacking motivation. I hear myself say to students, "It's midterm, there are only 8 weeks left. You can do anything for 8 weeks, can't you? Isn't your goal worth the commitment?" I must ask and answer the same questions for myself in a different, yet oh-so-similar, realm.

My "Grand New Goal" is for my family, and for my personal well-being, but it is also an effort to practice what I preach. Academic endeavors are easy and natural for me. To understand the students with whom I work, I need to push myself in a way that is unfamiliar, uncomfortable, and seemingly impossible. I need to commit, exercise discipline, and persevere even when I don't feel like it.

I have been reading about Grand Canyon hikes. I won't lie: I am very intimidated and doubtful. This journey is not natural for me; it may be the most difficult goal I have ever set in my life. I am taking the next step - joining a gym - today. I plan to partake in my first workout tonight. One step at a time... every day... for the next 12+ months. I am focusing on the joy my family will experience in achieving this goal together. I am focusing on the forever memories we will create amidst the journey. I am focusing on my students who feel like giving up when the road is rough, and how this experience will allow me to relate better with them. O Lord, help me!

A Grand New Goal

As my second academic year at NNU comes to a close, and as our family appears to be quietly settling into our new life, I am beginning to dream about some new goals. One area clearly stands out: I need to become physically fit and healthy. This need takes center stage beginning today.

I inherited a neurological disease called Charcot Marie Tooth (CMT). Though I have been aware of orthopedic difficulties since Kindergarten, it has only be named for me in recent years. CMT is in the muscular dystrophy family. No one in my extended family has had a severe case of CMT; it is really more of a nuisance. For me, it plays a big role in my lack of motivation to be physically active. Couple that lack with my love for good food, and I have a problem! As the mom of two active boys living in a adventurous area of the country, I feel like I am missing out on real living. Knowing that my dad had a heart attack in his 50's, and knowing that I seem to favor his genes in other significant areas, I feel fearful for my future. It is time to act!

This burst of energy to act has come and gone numerous times over the years, so I need to an exciting focal point. Thanks to my boys, I think I've found a deeply motivating goal. They really want to hike the Grand Canyon! Tanner asked to do it this summer, and I grieved the fact that I would not be able to join the family on such an adventure. As we discussed our options for this summer, we decided to hold off on the Grand Canyon until next summer. Viola, folks, I have a dream!

I am headed to the Nampa Rec Center tomorrow to purchase a family membership. My healthy eating plan commenced today. I want to buy bikes for the family - including a tandem bike for Steve and me (my CMT includes issues with balance). Yesterday I publicly shared my goal for the first time. I have 12 months to transform my life, and create an awesome family memory!

The boys' desire to hike the Grand Canyon was born on a trip with their grandparents.