Are you the New Years Resolution type?

I have never made a New Years Resolution that I kept - ever. I think it is just because it really doesn't seem like a big deal in the long run. Nothing ever pushes you to keep it. It's just something fun to think about at the end of a long year. Really, whats the reward? I guess I just never really put that much thought and faith into one.

However, I do try and make a goal for the new year. So far, I have completed those goals on a yearly basis. It seems that setting myself a goal and completing it works pretty well for me compared to saying it is just a New Years resolution.

I do have a rule though with my goals each year. I don't make goals about losing weight or quitting anything addictive. I have learned that those sorts of things need to be done with you are personally ready. Plus there are a lot of things that can stand in your way, set you back, etc. For instance, weight gain issues that I have had in life have had nothing to do with what or how I am eating. I have had set backs due to surgeries or physical limitations due to health issues at that time that make it almost impossible to work with. Or take things that are addictive. I was a smoker for years. It was the hardest habit I have ever had to break in my life. But it wasnt something that I could just make a resolution about on New Years Eve. I had to find my reason inside me that kept me hanging on when I really wanted another one. No NYE resolution was going to stop me. For me - I am just setting myself up for failure if I make one like that.

I like my goals to be something that I need to make myself work at and even hard at times, but not something so hard that it becomes impossible. I can make those goals any time of year. haha.

Last year my goal was to take a picture every day of the year. It was the coolest one I have done by far. I loved it so much that I am doing it again this year. I am adding another two goals this year just to be fair though. The picture every day was something small, but was pretty hard at times. I mean honestly some days just are not that entertaining. But in the grand scheme of things it gave me an awesome way to tell my life story for 2012.

This year my goals are:
Take a picture every day
It explains itself. Im hoping to take last years pics and make a 2012 family 'yearbook' out of it :)

Monthly Pay It Forward
I have a ton to be thankful for in my life. When I sit back and think of all the blessings that have come my way and the reasons I have to be thankful - it is truly amazing. So this year I want to give back. At least every month I plan on doing something for someone else. If I can do it more than once a month that will be even better. But my goal is once a month.

Keep up this blog
I have always loved writing. But life gets in the way and I never seem to accomplish anything when it comes to writing.

Only one time have I finished a huge year long writing project. That was the first full year of my husband and I's relationship. When I got home after our first 'non' date (theres a story here), I sat down and wrote (typed) about it. Then the next day, I wrote about him after he called.... and it never stopped - not once for the first full year of our relationship. I literally wrote every.single.day a 'diary' about our relationship and what we had done that day. Each day was set up like a chapter in a book with a name. It was truly a piece of work. Once I was done, I made REAL books out of them. I had them printed, bound, named and a cover designed and gave them to my husband as presents. Its a pretty cool thing we have to look back on and so glad I didnt give up!

Anyways, I have many unfinished journals, notebooks and word documents. I will have a great idea and then it fizzles and I don't try and relight it. This time my goal is to not let that happen. I believe I have something to offer with insights, recipes, stories or whatever it is that will inspire someone else. I don't care if I have 1 reader or 1000. The point is to open myself back up to writing and hopefully spark something in someone along the way!

Oh.. and my family and I have an additional one together that we started on NYE this year. I made a memory jar complete with paper, pen, and decorations. The instructions are simple. During the year if anyone does anything funny, memorable, exciting, etc... We write it on the paper, put our names, date and memory down. Then we fold it and put it in the jar. On the next NYE we will open and read them. Once we are done we can put them in a binder and keep for years to come. It is never too late to start one with your loved ones. Just pick a date and start!