New year, new risks

Every year, we make resolutions. Every year, a large percentage of us don't keep them. I'm one of those. This time, I wanted to take on a different approach to keeping a list of resolutions.

- Set realistic goals: Nothing says unrealized goals like making a list of goals that may possibly take longer than year to accomplish. If buying a brand new car is on your list, make sure you at least have a savings set aside for the down payment.

- Do it for you: Small goals are still big goals. If you want to lower your coffee intake, don't make it public knowledge when you've gone two months without caffeine. You'll feel more accomplished if you keep it to yourself and not expect others to acknowledge your achievement.

Monthly tasks: After reading "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubon, I wanted to follow her system of taking on monthly tasks, but being specific about each one. If boosting your motivation level is something you want to focus on in January, think about the things that would do just that and focus on those aspects. If lack of sleep is affecting your energy and motivation, think of ways to tackle this problem. (e.g., getting more sleep, drinking more water, being more productive etc.)

Good luck! I'll be posting more often as I take on my goals!

Marissa

Inspiration all around.

Yesterday, as I was reading through a journal I keep of things that inspire me, I realized that these are things I'm surrounded with on a daily basis. My source of inspiration stems from many things I can see, feel, smell, touch and hear. Why limit myself?

For example - I often see inspiration just from observing the world around me. When I'm at work, I see the way a very nice lady looks a stranger in the eye and genuinely says thank you for holding the door open. I also get inspired to be a better person by watching people being rude, yelling, hitting their child in public and giving someone a dirty look. Inspiration doesn't have to come from a positive place. Seeing bad things has inspired me in positive ways that prevent me from acting inappropriately.

Being in love, the smell of fresh lemonade, a hug,  the sound of live music, a cheering crowd, a smiling baby, making jewelry, are all sources of inspiration to me.

Inspirations are limitless.

Be inspired!

Marissa

Don't worry, girl.

At this point in my life, I started to look two years ahead and wondering what I'll be doing at 30. I quickly started to worry and wondered if what I'm working so hard on will actually pay off?

Today, coincidentally, I received my daily email from Joel Osteen (I love his books) and this is part of the message he shared with me (and millions of others) "...Worrying affects your physical body. It affects your sleep. You won't ever gain anything by worrying; in fact, you'll lose precious moments that you can never get back again." If that's not a strong message right in your face, I don't know what is!

Today I refused to worry. I decided that I'm not going to let any worries set me back. I will continue to work toward my goals; and although I'm taking small steps, I feel like I'm on a roll! This is such a great feeling! Small steps equal to big steps.

Today, whatever worries are taking over your brain, whatever is preventing you from getting things done, whatever is telling you that you need to fear something, get it out of your head. Only you can control the way you feel, so choose to feel worry-free today and always. It makes a difference in your day.

No worries!

Marissa

The inner challenge that drives me.

Although I'm still fairly new to blogging, I'm not exactly new to writing in journals/diaries. Before the term "blogging" spread throughout the internet, I used to use diaryland.com as a teen. I wish I never canceled my account. I would love to go back and read those old posts from 2001 to see what thoughts were roaming throughout my mind. I remember being so shy but my imagination went to places it had never gone to before. Diaryland.com was my escape and my source of freedom of expression.

With this blog, I hope to have that freedom once again.

I love being in my late 20's. I feel more at ease than I did in my early 20's and teen years. Several years ago, when I was faced with obstacles, fear and challenges, all I could do was hide my feelings, not speak of it and think about it over and over again. This never resolved anything. Now I like to think of myself as more of a problem solver. If I'm being faced with something that may seem impossible  in the moment, I look for ways to make it happen.

It took me many years to understand why challenges keep on surfacing throughout life. You may think "Why me? C'mon!" In my mind, challenges surface because it may mean that someone may need that extra push to walk up a very steep road in pursuit of their goals and dreams. I try to remind myself of that everyday. It keeps me going. To this day, I still question certain challenges, but they never bring down. I find reasons to think of them as exciting new projects to accomplish.

Hope your day was an exciting challenge!

Marissa