Goodbye 2014...Hello 2015!!

 

I am grateful to say goodbye to 2014 and I am ready for 2015.  I hope that this year, as I strive to do the best that I can, the following desires, hopes, and dreams become not just items written on paper but truly a part of my heart and soul.…

I want to grow more spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally.

I want this year to be the best year that I have had so far in the many years that I have lived.

I want to grow closer to our Heavenly Father.

I want to become the best person that I can be.

I want to live up to my full potential.

I want to become a better friend to my family and friends.

I want people to feel like they are a better person when they leave my presence.

I want to become more physically fit.

I want to stay out of debt so that money is not bondage.

I want to laugh more.

I want my heart to be touched in ways that bring me closer to the Spirit.

I want to feel good about myself.

I want to be more organized with items, time and stuff.

I want to smile more.

I want my faith to be unwavering.

I want to be a true follower of Christ.

I want to be a good example to others.

I want to become more knowledgeable in the gospel.

I want to become more knowledgeable in lots of things.

I want to love running. I want to run to relieve stress.

I want to be kinder in word, thought and action.

I want to attend the temple more often.

I want to trust people.

And of course—have a husband!! :)

 

I will try my hardest to make this year the happiest year that I have ever had.  I know that there will be trials and moments along the way but I am grateful for so many things in my life that truly make me ME!. 

Thursday’s Thoughts…Discipline

The following  quote is in line with the thoughts that have been on my mind today.

I can do anything!!!

~Michelle

Reading and loving it!

I can’t believe that this year is coming to a close.  Where did the time go?  It seemed to pass by so quickly.   I just can’t believe it.  I have been pondering the goals that I set at the beginning of last year.  I was hopeful to accomplish every single one of them sometime during 2012.  As I read the list, all I do is  smile not because I accomplished them but because I have actually set goals that help me become a better person.  I am hopeful for the upcoming year…a new beginning…a time to re-evaluate and to move forward. 

One of the goals that I set for 2012 was to read more often.  I love to read but when I do, I feel guilty because I have so many other things that I SHOULD be doing.  I set out a goal to read 100 books.  I knew that  I probably wouldn’t be able to accomplish this particular goal…I was just hoping that if I had that high of a goal, I would make myself read and not feel so guilty. 

Well, dear friends…I did read more and I enjoyed every minute of it.  I read 19 books…a lot more than I would have read if I wouldn’t have made it a goal to read more often and enjoy it.  So…for the year 2012, I read

1.  The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

2.  The Gift of Angels by Rachel Nunes

3.  Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

4.  Mocking Jay by Suzanne Collins

5.  Nourish & Strengthen by Maria Hoagland

6.  Lost Without You by Annette Lyon

7.  Lemon Tart by Josi Killpack

8.  English Trifle by Josi Killpack

9.  Devils Food by Josi Killpack

10.  Lipstick Wars by Christine Thackeray

11.  Last Entry First by C.K. Abbott

12.  Key Lime Pie by Josi Killpack

13.  He Loves Me Not by Christine Kersey

14.  Don’t Look Back by Christine Kersey

15.  Blackberry Crumble by Josi Killpack

16.  Scrappy Cupcake Angels by Kristah Price

17.  Your Happily Ever After by Dieter F Uchtdorf

18.  Forget Me Not by Dieter F. Uchtdorf

19.  Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

As for 2013, my goal is to read and enjoy 25 books.  Look out world, I am going to read and not worry so much about the other things that I need to accomplish!

Happy Reading!

~Michelle

It is quick quote Thursday!!!

Yahoo!!!  It is quick quote Thursday.  This is another one of my favorite quotes. I think It is so powerful!! 

This picture sits on my nightstand.  Nightstand?  Yes, when I wake up in the morning, it is a helpful reminder of my goals that I have set for the day.  As I go to bed, it is a reminder to ponder all that I accomplished throughout the day.  Do you set goals?  What helps you accomplish your goals? 

Happy Thursday!

~Michelle 

a new day...a new beginning...

Serving in the Stake Young Women’s presidency, I have had the opportunity of attending several New Beginnings. I love attending these functions. I am always excited to see what each ward places their focus or theme on for the evening. I have attended many that have created a spectacular night for their young women. On the other hand, I have attended many that are sweet and simple. I have found that we have young women leaders in our Stake that are truly focused on their young women and completely cater to their needs. Tonight, was no exception. I attended a New Beginnings that very simple but, a simple quote by their Bishop made me really start to ponder. He was telling the young women in his ward that every morning when we wake up–it is a New Beginning. He went on to tell them that we each have a special opportunity to leave yesterday behind us and begin each morning as it was a new beginning of life. He is correct!

A new day...a new beginning...why has it taken me this long in life to really have that thought hit my soul? I will admit that I worry constantly about things that happened yesterday, the day before yesterday and so on. Not only do I worry about yesterday, I seem to worry about all the tomorrows. I was thinking if every day is a new beginning then, why do I worry about the yesterdays and the tomorrows? So, my new goal is to start each new day as if it were a new beginning of life. This is going to be great–I can just feel it!!

Happy New Beginnings!

Organizing!!!

This is a conversation that happened today...
"Michelle, I have a homework assignment for you this weekend."
"Oh...you do? What is it?"
"Your assignment is to blog--when was the last time you blogged?"

I can not believe that I have not blogged in such a long time. WOW!! So, dear friend, here is my blog...

As of late, I have been trying to organize my life. It seems as if the past few months, my life has been a tad bit crazy and I feel like I am running on empty all the time. No matter what I try to do, I feel like I am always falling short. Isn't there a saying that goes something like, "a dollar short and day late." That is how I am feeling--a day late and a dollar short--completely UNORGANIZED.

I love the feeling of being organized--completely organized--not anal retentive, but completely organized. In fact, organized with a sense of knowing where I am going and how I am going to go there--that is what I want to strive for in 2009. So, since it is is the beginning of the year, I have decided to plan out what I am doing and where I am going. I guess that is why I love January so much--it is a fresh start, new start, and a new beginning.

So, now that it is the beginning of the year, I have decided to set a few goals. I find that goals give me a sense of purpose and perspective. Aby from Simply 101 stated, "When you have your eye on the prize, it’s easier to drown-out the background noise such as bad news on the T.V. or the naysayer who isn’t supporting your new direction. You have purpose. You have clarity about what you want. And you’re inspired to take action and make it happen." I just love that quote. So, I have been thinking a lot of about the things that I want to accomplish--my purpose for 2009. I have set some goals and one of them is to be more organized.

So, on Monday, I started organizing my scrapbook room. It is pretty intense, there is so much STUFF--but, it has been a lot of fun. Since the weather has not been that great, it has been easier to stay inside to organize. As I am organizing one of my favorite rooms in my home, I have come across a lot of fun things that I have not seen in awhile, a lot of things that I have duplicate of--maybe even triplicate (I will even admit--more than triplicate), things that bring back wonderful memories, and many many other things.

Isn't it interesting that if we are more organized in every aspect of our lives, we are more efficient, we decrease stress (how much stress do we create for ourselves when we can not find something?), save money and even create more time to do the things that we want to do. I can not even think how many times I have written the same thing on my to do list over and over because I am not organized. But, I know this will not happen to me very often because I am going to be more organized.

What are some tips that help you stay organized? I would love to hear!