Wow, January just flew by. In some ways I’m glad it’s over because it was such a crazy month, and now I can calm down (if only by a little bit!). I found that I was able to keep my goals in mind quite readily, but my theme really wasn’t a part of my day-to-day mindset. In review though, I found it was working away in the background. And I suppose that’s a wonderful sign that I chose goals in keeping with that focus.

It was a successful month for me on the goal-keeping front. I learned just how quickly a kitchen can get messy – and became much more accepting of how a little bit of daily maintenance goes a long ways (and was more willing to accept the extra mess if I didn’t put the effort in often enough). Mother Nature was working against my snowboard coaching aspirations last month, but I showed up every day that I could and I’m enjoying every moment of this latest adventure of mine. And my first day coaching was a success! I wrote the final exam for my accounting course on Monday and handed in my assignments. It was a difficult course, for various reasons, and I’m not sure how my marks will turn out. But I’ve already come to terms with the worst case scenario, and now I’m just keeping my fingers crossed for the end result to be as positive as possible.

For February, I’ve having some trouble pinning down exactly what I want to focus on. Every time I thought about it, I came up with something different. But something had to be picked, so here they are:

Live – Quick Tidy
A continuation of January’s kitchen focused cleaning, this time I want to spread my efforts around the house. Since my cousin is coming up later in the month, the house is going to need a thorough cleaning. If I’m able to tackle it in small bursts every day it’s going to make the final push a whole lot quicker and easier. Plus a clean house does wonders for keeping my anxiety levels down.

Laugh – Thank you cards
Way back in June our families had a couple of get-togethers to celebrate our wedding and first year of marriage. I still have to send out over half of the thank you cards. It’s a bit embarassing actually. So this month, when I need a break from my studying (since I have another course on the go) I will be pulling out my scrapbooking supplies to make some cards and get them in the mail already.

Love – Dexter & Gizmo
This month I want to give my fuzzybutts some love! Everything from regular walks (now that it’s still light when I get home from work), working on some training, to spending more time playing and snuggling.

What do you have in the works for this upcoming month?

What a crazy, busy month January has been. And the final week is only going to be more of the same. Between snowboard coaching courses, an accounting course, and planning a kitchen renovation most of my spare time has been filled right up. That of course was topped off by trying to stay warm when the temperatures plummeted and the cold virus going around town catching up with me.

I always forget that at this time of year my body wants more down time than ever. The exact opposite of what it’s getting. Oops. No wonder I’m feeling run down. After my final exam next week I intend to take a long, hot bubble bath with a margarita in hand. Hopefully that will recharge me for February, which is looking to be only slightly less busy (but with exciting things like a visit from my cousin).

It was pretty easy to pick my goals for January. Do that which I already have to do, and that which will take away one of my biggest annoyances.

Live – Shink my sink (aka Keep my kitchen clean)
I don’t really enjoy spending time in the kitchen to begin with, but if there are piles of dishes on the counter it’s like an instant descent into anger for me. I am commiting to spending time every day to tidy things up. No specific task or quota, whatever I can fit in. Even if it’s only a quick wipe of the counters.

Laugh – Become a snowboard coach
This one falls under Adventure because I’m stepping out of my comfort zone and trying something new. The first on-hill day with the team is this Saturday, and I start my coaching course on Sunday. Accomplishing this goal is easy in theory – just show up. I just need to overcome how nervous I’m feeling…hopefully that will be taken care of on the first day.

Love – Complete accounting course
Studying doesn’t exactly seem to go hand-in-hand with love, but for me it represents taking care of my mind by expanding my knowledge. It also happens that my course deadline is approaching at the end of the month. I figured I might as well make dedicating all my spare time to cramming double worthwhile. Besides, completing this course will push me over the halfway point to getting my certificate.

My secondary goals are: Mindful purchasing, Blog weekly, and Walk my pups. I’ve got them in the back of my mind, but I definitely don’t have any action plan in place.

A new year has arrived. With it comes the feeling of a new beginning.

I’ve never been huge on New Years Resolutions. The ones I have had rarely lasted past the end of January. Last year I was introduced, through multiple sources, to the concept of a guiding word or theme for the year.

For 2011, I chose Positive Discovery. I had no goals or destination in mind. It was simply an experiment in letting go and seeing what I found out myself. An informative year for sure.

While the focus was on the positive last year, one thing I noticed that popped up repeatedly was the concept of ebb and flow. Nothing stays the same, the future becomes the present which becomes the past. What one day is the greatest of greats eventually becomes normal and mundane. Just because life isn’t always super exciting, it doesn’t mean that you can’t appreciate the boring or frustrating periods .

This is my inspiration. The idea being to cultivate balance in my life, along with an appreciation for both the highs and the lows.

My theme for 2012 is Embrace.

This year the word did not come readily. It took several pages of mind-maps and writing out possible goals to see where I wanted to direct my life this next year. Categorizing my goals was simple enough. A theme seemed to jump out, and I went with it. But rather then leaving me with a sense of empowerment and excitement, I felt uninspired and restricted. Back to the drawing board, and ultimately the word had been waiting for me all along, I just hadn’t been open.

My goals are broken down into three categories. Live, Laugh, Love. A former motto of mine, these words encompass everything I have set out to attain, and encourage me to seek more. And to keep everything neat and tidy, plus provide some additional guidance, my blog categories are the same. I created some posters to put on my office wall to help keep me motivated (my interpretation of a vision board, if you will). They’re vibrant and colourful and make me smile.

I’m looking forward to the year to come. While I have goals, I have no clear destination in mind. It’s an exciting prospect.

Do you have a theme for 2012? Any big goals in mind?

Early in 2008 I faced a decision about whether to take my snowboarding up to a whole new level – competing nationally.  The thought was so exciting, but the reality was I was scared of pushing myself and financially in no position to take on all the necessary travel.

So I up and quit snowboarding.

Looking back on it now, I know that there were a lot of other factors behind my decisions, but I wasn’t able to admit to them at the time.  Or perhaps I was completely clueless.  At this point, who knows and who cares.

Three seasons later, and outside of a little blip of a day, my board remained stashed away.  Until now.  Because we are making a comeback!

As soon as I strapped in at the top of the hill, I knew, without question, that my love for snowboarding is still strong.  I love flying down the hill, going crazy fast.  I love making turns through the powder.  I love getting air off of anything I can.  Heck, I still love going ass over teakettle when I can’t stick the landing of a (mini)cliff jump.

When I’m living in the moment, it is so absolutely, astoundingly thrilling.  It’s when I’m standing around that old habits start to creep in.  The little voice that says “be cool, use the right lingo, talk big”.  But I recognize it for what it is now – my ego trying to take back control – and I’m working on letting it go.  To remember that I ride for the pleasure, not for the attention.

This season, I’ve committed to jumping back into snowboarding wholeheartedly.  I’m taking my coaching courses, hooking up with the local team and dedicating most of my weekends for the rest of winter to being on the hill.  I can’t wait to get started.

Just wanted to take a moment to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas (or whichever holiday you may celebrate)! I hope that your day is filled with family, friends, laughter and cheer.

We’ve got a day planned at the lake with family. It should be a wonderful day.

I’ve been feeling uninspired and trapped by that which I had crafted. Unsure how to proceed, and yet desperately wanting to continue. The past was restricting the future, creating boundaries that left me unable to explore and change.

So I deleted everything. A decision I sat with for a few days before putting into action. I gave myself a blank slate. An opportunity to create something new, something that resonates, something that inspires.

2011 was my year for Positive Discovery. With everything I’ve learned, it’s no surprise it was time for something drastic to draw it all together. Release that which no longer serves, and put into action everything that does. Prepping for a new year and a new focus.

I’m embracing change. Seeking evolution and fluidity instead of stagnation.