My Ever Changing Life Resolutions

As 2015 comes to a close, I thought about writing.  I have written when I was happy, sad, mad, excited, nervous, praising God, after the end of a relationship, and in love. In all of these instances, I wrote from an emotional standpoint.  I realized tonight, my resolutions, goals, hopes, and dreams have evolved over time.

2015 has been a year of dreams, plans, and goals coming together.  At the start of the year, I was working at massage envy, Bringing Out the Beauty in You, and school for my last semester of my associates and esthetic instructors program. At this time I was just praying to make it through the end of school with my G.P.A intact.

At the start of the year I made my original list of resolutions, and I had good intentions. I wanted to travel more, have more free and family time, lose weight, and finish school.

I started the year off with a mini vacation in Leonard, Texas.  New Year's Eve Aaron and I roasted marshmallows on a bonfire, had chili and I made the traditional black eyed peas, cornbread, cabbage, greens and chicken breast.  I was cooking and we were vegging on netflix the whole time I was there. It was my return home that made me re-evaluate the list I had made only days earlier.

My job at massage envy was messing with my list of resolutions.  I had no support at all from the owners. I was told that taking time off and school was interferring with my work.  Really?? I thought to myself this place has got to go.  I struggled with the decision to leave until the end of April. I again made a trip up north. However, this trip was related to school and Bringing Out the Beauty in You. I needed the credit hours for class and the Congress was my chance to keep up with industry developments.  Upon my return to work I was asked to work more hours. I was at this time, attending classes 5 p.m until 10 p.m., working at massage envy 830 a.m until 4 p.m., working at Bringing Out the Beauty in You Sunday and Monday. I did not have a moment to myself.  I had no time for any of my resolutions. I was burning out fast.  In May, I asked to work 2 days and was promptly told no. They did not need an employee that was not committed to the company.  My thought was I did not need an employer not committed to helping others advance. So I gave my notice.

I did not have a plan outside of working more at Bringing Out the Beauty in You. My family thought I was crazy. I was scared out of my mind but had to pray and take a leap of faith. I was so close to finishing both my certification and my degree plan. I was writing lesson plans for one class and doing homework daily for the other 2 classes.  I was really on the edge.  I was either at French Quarter, school or home doing homework.  I had to cancel a trip that had been planned months earlier.  I broke down and cried so many times. ( I don't cry easily) At last graduation! I had time to meet up with friends.  I panicked over my state exams.  However, as soon as they were over I increased my hours at FQ.

I still did not make time for my list of resolutions. In July, my first grandchild was born. I knew I would do almost anything for our bundle of joy.  In August, I turned 50.  I celebrated differently this year.  Instead of with a mate, I celebrated with my bestie and a few friends.  I was going to give my list one more go. I committed to babysitting my grandson when his mom returned to work. I tried to walk more and meditate. I was able to have lunch, bible study and go to happy hour with friends. Just when I was easing into this life I accepted a job working one night a week teaching.  I passed my state exams. I still had a little time with friends.

In October, I was asked to join the teaching staff full time. I don't know why but I said yes.  I was balancing everything well and learning more about the ciriculum of the school.  I was managing to work on my list.  It was then that I lost my focus. I was reading so much for teaching and my esthetic business that I was back to having zero free time.

There was a difference though. I was happy. I enjoyed getting up early. I was in awe over the sunrise every morning. I enjoyed learning how to teach. I was finding my way around the cities traffic. I realized I was in a place I had been trying to get for most of my adult life. Where is this strange place you ask? It is the place of working and enjoying it so much that time flies. A place in which you know you can accomplish the next level. A place in which you can see all of your blessings and bless others.

I am there now. Going into 2016, I know that there are some things in my plan. Yes, I still would like to shed the pounds. It was the goal that lost out all year. My reasoning however, has changed. I want to be a healthier me. Not to appear sexy for or because of my mate. I did not wait for the new year to start working on this goal.  I have been walking as much as I could since our break started. I do plan to travel more this year. Vegas is already on the books for June. Having a new grandchild has brought the family together more and for that I happy.

My list this year is different. I want to be blessed, (I know God will be blessing me), healthy, happy, have time for family and friends and lastly to learn and grow.  Yes, I do have goals but until they are broken I will keep them to myself.

I wish everyone happiness, love, blessings and peace.
Lisa

1/2/15 1/3/15

Friday, another first I drove back from my trip and immediately went to work.  In the past I would have considered it too much. It was an easy drive.  I had to get up early and endure some colder temperatures.   However, I made it.  My clients were animated. Any stress I was feeling disappeared with my first client.  I am truly blessed. After work, I ran into my bff and his daughter.  Many laughs and  a great time.   I was fortunate to have an order from the skincare site go through and booked an appointment for a client. 

Saturday was a little rough. My fibromyalgia has been flaring up for the past month.  I even feel like it might be time to see my physician.  I had three clients today.  Once again working helped to keep me going.  But the rest of the day was clear.  The is the first time in a long time.  I took advantage Aaron and I had mani and I had a pedicure.  My nail tech Thao  is awesome she worked all the knots out of my hands and arms.  We got yarn for a new project and vegged out. Found that my booking site is very effective in contacting clients. Received an email from a client coming in the seventeenth.    Less work for me. Tomorrow church first time in a long time.  You have to take that first step to creating a habit. 

365 day resolution

On this first day of 2015, I am appreciating all of the events of 2014.  The good, bad and ugly for they all are a part of me.

Today was exactly what I wanted. Calm and relaxed with little stress.  

During the day I kept thinking about my resolutions for the new year.  However, when I saw a post from a family member on Facebook, it became apparent that I need to take my resolutions a step farther.

Normally one thinks of things they can do to lose weight, meditate, keep a journal.  All these things are meant to be done for a life change. However, they end up being done only for a short period of time.  Most of us last the first week and forget our resolutions.

I have decided to write something every day about my life resolutions/life changes.

Most of my life changes have to deal with myself.  Things that I need to do to become a better contributor to mankind.  If we are not our best selves, we cannot guide others.

My list of course begins with weight loss not because I am vain.  Not for anyone but me.  I have fibromyalgia and migraines. Over the years I have/am learning that so much of these diseases have to deal with obesity and diet.  The best way to conquer is to face reality. You cannot lose weight without exercise.  You cannot lose weight without dietary changes.  For the most part diet will only take a few modifications.  Better planning on meals away from home.  Exercise is something I have really neglected and for that I am purchasing a bike.

Meditation is something that I began the last three months of 2014.  Specifically breathing deeper.  I did an exercise led by Mindful.com and found how little/shallowly I was breathing.  Practicing this small change has allowed me to be calmer and sleep better.

Mid summer I was really focusing on my needlework.  I did not realize how well I can thing when I am creating something.

I also started reading a book a month.  The topics vary from pleasure reading to industry related topics.

Writing is my escape.  I started these blogs over the summer.   Writing is very therapeutic.  I find that even this post has made me stop and thing about everything.

Planning a problem for me.  I had in my past lived without a plan or goal.  However, for the past four years my life has been nothing but a series of plans.  I planned to get my license, open my own business, go back to school and get my certification to teach esthetics and my bachelors, buy a home and travel.

I was fortunate this past year that I started my certification 2 years before I thought I would.  I put my bachelors on hold for a semester but will be working on it this coming semester.

I have been to Las Vegas 2 times with family and friends in the past 2 years.  I have a trip planned in April and after my graduation and licensing for esthetics educator I plan on going to Pigeon Forge in Tennessee just to regroup.

Most of all I want to live my life.  Not a life based on the decisions of others.  I spent far too many years doing and being what others wanted from me.  I am finally free to do me.

In the word of Bon Qui Qui   Get it right Get it tight.

I plan on it.