NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS!

I know I am late but it has taken a while for me to come up with my resolutions this year so be nice!
* I resolve to take my camera with me!
* I resolve to smile more
*I resolve to say something kind everyday
*I resolve to remember my blessings
*I resolve to get good grades
* I resolve to make some great memories with my family!
*I resolve to have a great YEAR!

OK now the new year can begin!!!

The Power of Prayer.............
I was thinking this morning about the power of prayer in my life. I can even number the many times my prayers have been answered. I am so thankful that we have a Father in Heaven who watches out for us, who knows us, and is willing to help us if we but ask.

I will never take a step backward - sideways, diagonally, up, down, but never back.
A Toyota insert in the June 2005 issue of O Magazine

I was flipping through old magazines while looking for some positive sayings for a goal poster. I came across an insert in the June 2005 issue of "O" magazine that I wanted to share with you. The campaign was done by Toyota under the slogan "Moving forward." In it were three small cards detailing ideas for moving forward and then on the back was space for writing down how you would move forward. One of the cards included the quote above. The other two are: "I will contemplate my own limitations and then exceed them." "I will become my own role model." How empowering each of these statements can be if we don't just read them--but live them.

WOW! I can't believe how times flies!! This past couple of weeks has been crazy, getting settled back into school..............being overwhelmed with my classes................and getting organized into a new year! Thank heavens for holiday weekends,,,,,,,,,,,,,I am really looking forward to this one. Maybe I will get caught up on my blog!!

Create a S.M.A.R.T. Goal

Let's face it... most of us are great at setting goals; in fact, we are goal-setting experts. We have set goals a thousand times or more. What we are not so great at is reaching them. In order to help ourselves reach our goals, we can revisit the basics of a S.M.A.R.T.

To begin, write down your goal for this year and then work through the guidelines below to make sure it is S.M.A.R.T.

The S.M.A.R.T. acronym stands for:
SPECIFIC: Make sure your goal specifically states what you desire to accomplish. "Become healthier," is not a specific goal. "Improve my health by adding one new healthy habit each week for fifty-two weeks," is a specific goal.

MEASURABLE: Make sure your goal can be measured, so that you will know if you have achieved your objective. The above example is measurable, because you can clearly measure whether or not you reach the goal.

ATTAINABLE: Do a soul-search to determine if you have the resources (and energy/attitude) needed to reach this goal during the timeline you set for its completion. If you do not have the resources, make sure to include the process of attaining them within your goal plan.

REALISTIC: Many people take an all-or-nothing approach to goals. A great example is a woman who wants to pursue healthy-lifestyle changes. She sets a goal on January 1: she is going to join a health club, exercise every day, change all her eating habits and give up sweets-- STARTING the next day!

We have to remember that part of any goal is forming new habits, which often means replacing and reprogramming old habits. This doesn't happen overnight. While we might be able to adhere to a schedule like this for a short time, it will be hard to sustain long-term. If you have set up a goal like this, now is the perfect time to revisit it and make a realistic plan.

TIMELY: Make sure to have an end date for your goal. This is what transforms a wish into a goal. Wishes don't have deadlines--goals do! In addition to an end date, identify key milestones at the 25 percent, 50 percent and 75 percent mark to track your progress.

The day after a Marathon!
That's what today feels like! I finished my last final on the 9th of December, then I quickly prepared my home for a reunion of sorts with my high school friends! It was a blast and so great to catch up with these wonderful friends. Then I sprinted into shopping , cleaning, decorating,wrapping and getting ready for our holiday traditions. We had a wonderful time together as a family, I treasure these moments! Christmas Eve was special, we had our traditional birthday dinner for the Savior, then we visited the grave sites of those we miss and love who have passed on. This is a special time for me as we light the luminary by each grave I feel of my Saviors love and am grateful for the knowledge of eternity! We all get into our new pj's and off to bed to wait for the big guy to visit us! He has never let us down!! It was fun to see how my children get into the gift giving scene as they get older. The day was a quiet one as we ate, and played together! I treasure these special days! This past week has been filled with getting organized ( thanks to John and my new phone, I am the organization queen!!) Christmas is put away, and with the help of my family we have put 20 meals already made up in the freezer so this next month making meals in our home with be easier! So yes, I feel like I have run a marathon! And yes, I will sign up to run it again next year!! But, today I am going back to BED!!

It doesn't matter how slowly you go--so long as you do not stop. Confucius


In a world where time has become a master for many, Confucius' quote offers an important and simple reminder. As we reach and stretch and make positive change in our lives, we need to report to our own internal time clock. Too often we compare our progress to others. Or we become a negative-coach to ourselves, reprimanding ourselves for not doing "more" or accomplishing something "sooner." This type of thinking usually leads to backward movement.

Remember, we are always moving. If we aren't moving forward, then we are moving backward. But let us not make the mistake of thinking we have to leap forward every day. It is more important to be consistent in our steps, no matter how small, then to leap forward and stop. I have never seen someone "lurch" toward success, successfully...

Your Turn:
Remember the story of the tortoise and the hare? As we prepare for a new year, focus on consistent, measurable steps versus a sprint. Besides, we would all look funny if we were lurching toward success!

Your affirmation:
I consistently take measurable action to accomplish my goals