make 2007 better than 2006

once it was all said & done, 2007 was a fabulous year for me in many ways…now looking forward

I did not accomplish everything I set out to do in 2007, but I can definitely say I did more than the previous year.

I actually gave up some bad habits: I no longer eat fast food, and I never drink any soda. As for starting good habits, I now floss every day.

On the subject of my finances: I opened a Roth IRA and bought auto and home insurance.

I gave to charity and I donated blood the max number of times.

I tried some new hobbies, like rock climbing and paintball and kayaking, and found that I really enjoyed them.

Credit should definitely be given to 43Things! I’ve been a member for a year now, and the support from members is really awesome. For all of you out there that took a moment to provide a kind word of encouragement: THANK YOU. You’re the engine that makes this site work.

Also have to thank my wife, for helping me to become a better person. She found a spectacular place to work out, and pushed on me hard to go cause she knew I would love it. I have really bad inertia, and just can’t seem to get going on starting on my goals myself.

She’s always supportive and also inspires me to improve myself… I of course have to keep up with her! :-)

i’d say so far so good lool
i have 2 new kitties & a job i adore, a sweet godson & a growing savings account! :D

and this year has been phenomenally better!!!!

& this year HAS been better than last year!
i got a new kitty (Fela) & a new job that is going to be so rewarding!
more positivity flowing than it had been…sometimes, a change in scenery is necessary to promote growth & improve perception
i have pretty much the same commute i used to, but i don’t dread going to work each day…i look forward to it!
yeah yeah yeah i am in training right now however i’m getting ready to counsel on my own & know i’m going to be much happier in this line of work!
life is pretty darn good right now! :D

not so shabby!!!
new job that i’m pumped about
i was in Warwick, RI last week & the week before & i’ll be going to Portland, Maine soon so i get to travel too
ultimately, i’ll be getting paid to help people
that’s so damn rewarding!!!!

There’s only 5 months left to accomplish this goal, and I need to figure out how to make progress. What am I even supposed to say here? I was originally going to write that I need to decide on if I want to go to grad school. And I need to update my resume by year’s end. I need to finish such-and-such self-help book. I need to get my ass into an MBA program and start my own business. Is this it?

I mean, I’ve already committed this year to quitting all these bad habits: fast food, soda, video games, insomnia, binge drinking, etc. These were all a personal choice, and nothing any medical professional or loved one ever recommended.

But then I realized: you can punish yourself all you want, and give up your vices. Or, you can live your life and have a damn awesome time. I don’t mean that you should get out of control and make life a continuous bender. But, I do mean that you shouldn’t quit the things you truly love.

For instance, if you like a drink with your friends to celebrate at the end of the week, and to blow off steam, then what’s wrong with that? Now, if you’re drinking when you’re depressed… 3 nights a week, by yourself, then that’s a different story. It still sucks to wake up in the morning with a hangover and those other problems you ignored.

So, moderation is definitely the key. That, and asking yourself “WHY?” before committing to a goal. If you don’t have that, then the “how to do it” makes no difference whatsoever.

The truth of the matter is, I feel like I’m not focusing on the right goals in life. I want to think long term and be this mature adult, but I’m absolutely full of stress and general worry, and all I really want is to be happy.

It starts with health. My flipping ankle is broken right now, but it will heal and I will get over it. I was going to the gym before that happened, but not regularly. I’m getting it re-evaluated soon, and when I’m ready, I am going to start running again, simply because it makes me feel better.

My financial house is, for the most part, in order. I know in my heart that I don’t need to be rich to be happy. However, I still worry about my 401K and my retirement. That’s something to focus on fixing.

So, my way of making 2007 better than 2006 is:
find what makes me happy, and make that a priority.

Fela Kiti, so far 2007 has been better! He is such a love!!! Although, Gracie is sick right now, she’s getting better so that’s good too!

My goals for January:

1. Remain positive in the face of adversity.

2. Keep up on school work!

3. Excercise and eat healthy.

4. Read a book or two.

This is a good New Year’s resolution, don’t you think? And to make the progess more noticeable for me, I’m going to do it monthly. I’ll let you know on Feb. 1.