1. Physical Condition
I actually started working on this several weeks ago, so it only makes sense to list it first. I am overweight... not morbidly obese or anything, but overweight enough to be self-conscious. I get tired far too easily to play a decent game of basketball, and at this point I don't even want to think about running full court. I currently weigh 231 pounds (weighed about an hour ago). When I started working on this, I weighed 239. I feel best about myself at around 200, so I'm almost a fourth of the way to my goal already. Weight is only half of the issue, though. I really want to be able to step out on a basketball court and not feel like a chump.
4/15 Edit: Oops... part of that was a lie. I actually wrote this last week and decided not to post it yet. As of this morning, I weigh 229. :-)
2. Forgiveness
There are people in my life that I have not forgiven, in some cases for things that happened decades ago. Most of the time, I'm so laid-back that I don't often feel the need to forgive because it is so rare that I feel deeply hurt. However, when I am deeply hurt, I usually pretend to be over it or pretend I'm alright so that I won't have to admit that I was weak enough to feel pain. I'm tired of having these burdens on my heart, so I'm going to start working on this. I'm not sure exactly how yet. I'm going to do some reading and praying and take it from there. I think I'll start with the people & situations that seem easiest and work my way up from there.
3. Family & Friends
I neglect people I love. I don't call. I don't visit. I don't make time. Part of me hides behind the idea that "if they want to be around me, all they have to do is call," but that isn't the whole truth. People could call, but phones work both ways. I need to do a better job of cultivating relationships rather than only maintaining the most convenient ones. Don't expect a call tomorrow, people, but if you do see me more often in the coming months, know that it is because of this turnaround.
4. Procrastination
If you know me, you know that I never do anything today that I could do tomorrow (unless it's something that I really enjoy). There have been too many times in my life that I've assumed I would be talented enough or capable enough to do things in half the time anybody else could do them and still get by. Arrogant as it might seem, it works most of the time. But I never escape one of those situations without a high level of stress, and I'm tired of having those weeks when everything is due and I haven't started on any of it.
5. Home Upkeep
There are a lot of things around the house that I need to do a better job on. I have a piece of siding that's been gone for a long time and I've never gotten it fixed. Dishes sit in the sink for ages. My lawn never gets mowed until I feel guilty about how high the grass is (which takes some time, believe me). There's a handrail in my garage that has been sitting there since 2007 because I just never bothered to put it back up after painting. I'm sure my neighbors are embarrassed. It's time to work on that.
6. Relationship with God
I've let a lot of things get in the way of this, and I'm glad He is forgiving. Despite all the faults I've been pointing out here, I've felt like the last few years have been amazing. Unfortunately, in those times of less perceived need, I find myself forgetting where my true strength lies: faith. I'm going to leave it at that for now.
7. Finish
I never finish anything. I don't know if it's life-ADD or what, but I never follow any project I start all the way to completion. Whether it's a series of blog posts or a New Year's resolution, I get excited and I start and I never actually finish. I'm hoping that by making this list public, my friends will hold me accountable for it. I'm asking you to give me a hard time if I'm not doing anything about this stuff... okay? I'm giving you permission to give me a hard time. I'm encouraging you to. Please do.
8. Reading & Writing
I was an English major in college because it was easy, but I've always enjoyed good books and I've always wanted to write my own. I've never done it. I've started dozens of times. Have I finished? Nope. See #7. There are a lot of books out there that I want to read, and there are a lot of ideas in my head that need to make it to paper. It's time to get started... and not give up this time...
9. Making My Dreams Come True
I want to move to a big city. I've said New York City and Seattle for ages, but I've never been in a position that was conducive to actually making a move. I don't know how soon it will be, but I want to start making preparations. I also want to get published. See #8. However, I've never made it far enough into a manuscript to even think about submitting it to a publisher. It's time to change that.
10. Something Else
Okay, I ran out of ideas. However, after writing #7, I really don't want to sell myself short and start with a top 10 but end with a top 9. So here's what I need... I'm leaving this open for anyone to share with me what you think I need to work on to be a better me.
Now, all that said... I'm going to post this to Google+ and Facebook. I don't know if anybody will follow the links here, but we'll see what happens. I'm going to continue writing here, but I doubt I'll post to the social networks again (definitely won't post to FB... I claimed to have given up that horrible place but I've spent far too much time on it lately). If you're interested in keeping up with this and helping me reach these goals, subscribe somehow. There are lots of options on the right sidebar.
thought to live by.....God has more mercy than you have sin....but don't take Him for granted
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