Gratitude getting in the way of my Goals?

Today is a great day ~ I am feeling rested and in control.  I am still wrestling with aligning my goals with my life.

As I was reading today I ran across a blog entry at Simplify101 - I love the blogs and articles at Simplify101, I have been reading Aby's blog for a couple of years. She is always upbeat and on target with advice for simplifying and organizing your life and home.

Today as I was reading the following passage jumped out at me:
The benefits of gratitude have been documented by others as well. In fact, according to an article in the November 2008 issue of Real Simple magazine, expressing gratitude gives you a sense of control plus it can improve your health and raise your self-esteem—all good stuff.

I think my issue has been a feel so thankful and grateful for everything I have that I feel obligated to give it all back.  Today I have come to a realization ~ If I give it all back, there is nothing left for me.

What do you keep for you?

~ Connie ~

Monday Madness

Monday Madness – Today I started a Zumba class.  

The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities. -Stephen R Covey

Exercise is a priority for me, so when a few ladies at work said they wanted to host a group exercise class, I decided to help out.    I have taught step aerobics in the past – but the ladies wanted to try Zumba.  Well….I have Zumba videos.   So today, we used the Zumba videos.

Wow – Zumba is a different kind of work out.  We laughed, sweated, and laughed some more.  But we did it, an hour long Zumba video.

Cooked dinner, replied to student discussion questions, played with the four-legged babies, now headed to the pool for a few laps. 

Monday Madness is going to end – with me sleeping like a baby.

~ Connie ~

Mid-Year Review

Wow - Seems like January was yesterday and here it is July. I am fast approaching my next birthday. As another year ticks away - let me tell you where I am.

My goals for 2009 include:

1.Become more organized- 2. Eat Healthier 3. Count my blessing 4. Live each day with less stress.

Well - let's see - I am more organized. I live by my calendar. I am scheduling healthy activities. More than that I have read a couple of books on organization. I am cleaning out closets and desk drawers - I am simplifying my life.

I am eating healthier - no fried food - and I have given up sodas.

I do count my blessing everyday - I thank God everyday for my life even on the days my life is not perfect.

Living each day with less stress has been the most difficult. I tend to create my own stress by trying to take on to many task at one time. I have also recently come to the realization that my dream job was really a nightmare. It took a lot of courage but I have chosen a new path in my career with less stress.

My running goals are on track - I continue to enjoy running, my overall fitness level is improving, I have made new running friends and I am training for a half marathon in November......

Life in Blytheville Arkansas is GOOD!!!!

Being Ture to My Dream

OK - it has been 25 days since I last posted and very very little running for me. I could name the million other taska I have completed and issues I have fixed - but that list does not change the fact - I have not been true to me.

I did buy a new book on running - the Complete Book of Women's Running. Tomorrow I start the beginner's schedule training for a marathon at 6 AM. Tommorrow afternoon - Yoga at 5 PM.

When I complete my run in the morning - I will spend sometime tomorrow finding a 5K to participate in. Me first - that is my new motto.

Four Months Into 2009

Four months into 2009 and I am no more in control than I was at the beginning of the year. Well maybe that is not true. I am in control - but I am making bad choices.

Do I have time to run - if I wanted to run I would find time to run. Prioritizing what is important in my life is an area that needs work. Instead of getting up to run - I sleep in.
My Dad has always said - you can sleep when you are dead - so why do I sleep in????

Sunday morning is only two hours away - I am going to get up early and run...no excuses.

Scrapbooking - is like running - I enjoy the process but I do not make it a priority. Tomorrow I will clean my scrapbookroom and set out my next project.

No one else is going to put me first - I owe to me!

2009 Goals - Who Is In Control

It has been six months since I blogged - so what have I been doing that is more important than journaling. Running occassionally - life is busy so I have been putting running, scrapbooking, and journaling off. It is easy to make excuses for not running or scrapbooking. To much to do - papers to grade, lectures to develop, dissertation to write, charitable clinic work to do --- see I have real excuses.

Real excuses do not nullify the fact that I have not put me first or even second. I realized recently I am getting older - My husband is getting older. I do not like the path aging is forcing us down - so - who is in control - Me or Life??? Can I control my life?? Can I age gracefully?

I do not believe in New Year Resolutions - I do believe in goals. With life and the aging process pushing me down a path I do not want to go down - I have set a few goals for 2009.

1. Become more organized-

2. Eat Healthier

4. Live each day with less stress.


So how am I going to accomplish my goals. I bought a new calendar today - I will schedule healthy activities among the many other task, meetings, and deadlines. I will journal what I eat.


Eating healthier - I am going to work the Weight Watchers program


Counting my blessing - I am going to journal (here and in paper journal)


Live each day with less stress - I am going to choose my battles carefully. Take on projects that make me happy and ask for help when my plate is full.


I really want to run a 1/2 marathon - can I - I am the one in control!