Looking Ahead

I have spent the past two years in sorrow for the loss of two wonderful women in my life. I have also experienced much apprehension due to job loss and changes. My hope for 2011 is to build on what I have learned from these experiences. Mission Statement for 2011: Keep the priorities in line - God, Family, Friends, Health, Career.

My family recently discussed our thoughts on where we should worship. We have been attending a couple of different styles of service. We were all slightly surprised to find out that that we were pretty much on the same page. Our family is basically united in our beliefs and priorities. While we liked the initial idea of the smaller service we have been recently attending, we discovered that it was not really in line with what we feel is important in a church service. We felt that it was not as inclusive as we would have liked, and to us, it felt more like a higher level religion course rather than a church service. Someone coming in off the street looking for refuge - we feel - would not feel comfortable in this setting. So we will be attending our original church again. We have to remind ourselves that there are humans in every church and not let that deter us from what is important. I must make an effort to not allow myself to become the hypocrasy.

I am once again going to commit to providing a healthier environment for my family and myself. Joel and Alison and I have all discussed the importance of healthier eating. We do not want to continue down the path of constant eating out and unhealthy cooking. Our busiest season is behind us for the time being so the "time is now". Joel is seeing the light at the end of the tunnel of his job and catching the glimpse of retirement. He does not want to go into that period unhealthy. I know that eating healthy will improve my moods and energy level as well.

I am going to make a conscious effort to accept that there are circumstances that I cannot control and for which I am not responsible. I cannot control what other people say or do and cannot expect them to live up to my expectations. Who am I to think that my opinions and standards are right for everyone? I cannot let my blood pressure be affected by others.

My final class in the Masters of Management program begins in just over a week. I have 12 more weeks of school. And then I will be graduating for the last time - I hope :) I am apprehensive about this class, but at the same time trying to keep it in perspective.

My new job is going to continue to challenge me. I am the only person in the Human Resource department at my company. I now have the responsibility of training the work force and helping to develop their skills and talents. It scares me if I think about it. I need to become more organized and stop procrastinating about the tasks of which I am uncertain. I am excited. I am scared. But it will be good. I was becoming accustomed to other people telling me what to do and just doing mindless tasks, which I knew was not good for me. So now is the time to step up the expectations of myself and perform to my abilities and beyond.

I am going to attempt to live each day keeping in mind what is important and letting go of things that really don't matter in the great scheme of life. What's important: God, Family, Friends, Health, Career. In that order.