The Importance of Setting Goals

I'm popping in today to share some thoughts on goal setting. Day to day goals. Super practical. Super attainable. Super life changing. I am a strong believer in redeeming the time. This isn't to say that rest and relaxation get thrown out the window. In fact, sometimes rest and relaxation might be the only two goals I set for a given day.  

Here is what I've found works well for me. I try to have a date with my planner either in the evening right before bed or in the afternoon after I finish my devotions (If baby's nap allows it). I spend a little time thinking about the things I want to be intentional about: being a wife, a mother, a shop owner. These are the three missions God has currently blessed me with. My goals then come when I ask myself how I can be more God honoring in each of these areas. How can I reflect the character of my heavenly Father and pour love into these three outlets? 

My goals really end up looking like a to-do list, but an inspired one. Each item having a deeper purpose behind it. Getting groceries is no longer just getting groceries. It's a mission to have on hand the ingredients I need to have a meal ready for my man when he gets home from work. This is something my hubby greatly appreciates and it is one way for me to show him I love him and am grateful for him and his hard work. A trip to the library becomes a treasure hunt for fun children's books, little gems that bring joy and a smile to my sweet son's face when we read together.

I make my list and the next day I follow it, using my time to invest in my family and my work. Praising God for His kindness and another day to honor Him with all He's given me.

Happy Monday dear reader.

xx, 

Forest Hike & Some Future Plans

 

It was my hubby's birthday last Friday so we spent a wonderful afternoon outdoors as a family hiking, picnicing and exploring. We really couldn't have asked for a better day. Beautiful.

My sweet little love just went down for his nap so off I go to get some crocheting done. The plan is to create an abundance of items for a flea market stand hopefully sometime in November. My hubby's idea. Love that man! 

 Happy Tuesday to you my dear reader. Hope this week is finding you blessed...

p.s. Don't forget to drop by tomorrow to see what's new in the shop. Wednesdays seem to come so fast!

Thursday, Verse Day 1

I thought it'd be fun to start a new little series on this here blog of mine by sharing a verse and some of my thoughts about it every Thursday. So for today...

The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 

I loved this verse immediately upon first reading it. However, I have questions about the phrase "He will rest in His love." What does that mean for us? The verse seems to be talking about God and His working in or towards US and then right smack in the middle it talks about Himself and "His" rest in "His" love. Could it mean that He is resting in a state of His love toward us? How beautiful is that? Any thoughts? 

On another note, this little guy is growing up so quickly...
As a new mom I find it incredibly difficult to complete anything in its entirety within one sitting. I'm working at being patient and accepting the fact that I will start many things within my day and will not be able to finish them until after the baby goes to sleep for the night if I end up completing them at all. 

Goal for today? Finish the dishes from yesterday and start the laundry! 

Happy Thursday Verse Day dear reader,

Happy New Year Goals

As I savor each sleepy moment of being a new parent, I've been thinking of what I'd like to accomplish in this brand new year.

 These are some of my goals for 2013 and hopefully they give you an idea of what you'll find on this blog of mine in the days to come.

1. Bible reading and prayer time in the mornings.

2. Find an area to serve in at church and get involved.

3. Post new items to my shop each Wednesday.

4. Blog at least twice each week.

5. Eat more fresh produce in place of processed foods.

6. Exercise daily.

7. Drink lots of water.

8. Read a book a month on parenting.

9. Photograph Jack each month and print one favorite for his first year album.

10. Go on dates with my hubby each week.

Have you set some goals for your year? I'd love to hear what you're planning! Happy Thursday everyone. I'm off to enjoy the company of this little man. 

Love,

Choosing to Serve

It's been quite awhile since I've done a weekly goal post on this blog. You may remember some of my others?

This week I'm making it my goal to serve others. I am (with the help of the Holy Spirit within me) changing my naturally self-centered focus into a focus directed toward others. Yes, I know, I should be doing this every week, and I do try but I am a bit halfhearted about it. Which is why this week I really want to focus on this area. Anyone care to join me?

I even found a power verse I can carry with me...

 "Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." - Philippians 2:4

Week Five - Healthy Goal

We are already midway through week five of the new year. Can you believe it? In my last post I promised I would write a bit more about my focus for this week! To be honest, I've been spending the first few days of the week tossing around ideas. Should I focus on eating more veggies? Drinking more herbal tea? Letting go of sugar? Cooking with organic ingredients? Or what about a home organization goal...cleaning out cupboards? Donating or selling things we don't use? Or should I set a spiritual goal this week? Better prayer time? Scripture memory? Ah so many choices...

To be honest, the thing that most needs my immediate attention is Scripture memory. So, since there are just three days left in the week, I decided to keep my goal very simple. I chose two of my favorite verses from the book of James. The goal? Memorize them by Sunday. 

Lots of changes are taking place around here and though they're exciting changes, they are also terrifying and require large amounts of prayer and faith. I found these two verses to be wonderfully encouraging....

James 5:13 "Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise."

and...

James 5:16 "Therefore confess your sins to each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

Our God is so incredibly faithful and trustworthy!

Stripes and Healthy Goals

Here are just a few things I've been loving lately... Stripes. Now don't get me wrong, I don't love all things striped. I'm still quite particular about the colors involved and the widths and the overall fit of the striped garment. However, if used correctly, stripes can be incredibly flattering. 

Stripes on feathered earrings? Yes please...this particular pair was a Christmas gift from my sister. They effortlessly add a playful pop to any date night outfit.Lastly, I'm loving my new workout shoes. The bottoms are wonderfully flexible, awesome for running, walking, and all around exercising. This reminds me...I need to give an update on my weekly health goals I've been implementing since January first...

You may remember: 

Week 1 - Drink more water. 

Week 2 - Do Pilates. 

Week 3 - I unfortunately didn't have a new healthy focus this week...

Week 4 - Exercise six days. I never blogged about this goal, but I did achieve it last week and I'm pressing on... 

Wednesday I'll write more about my healthy habit goal for week five. I can hardly believe February is nearly here.

I hope you've had a lovely January.

Lots of love,

On To the Next Healthy Habit

Happy second week in January. Monday marks the beginning of week two of my healthy habit building. Last week's focus was to drink more water and to drink it all throughout my day. And let me just say that it has been a rewarding success. My energy and endurance have improved substantially.

This week however, I will be focusing on exercise. I want to add just a pinch of it each day. Hopefully allowing myself to tune into forgotten muscles and in the process boost my mood and overall health. After all...

Source

Pilates seems to be a perfect vehicle for this. I have a little exercise dvd with a fifteen minute segment that I want to fit in each morning energizing my body to start the day right. So here we go...

Source

If you join me in this, let me know. I would thoroughly enjoy the extra support and accountability...

p.s. I will of course still be drinking lots of water.

Beautiful Water

With each new year comes this wonderful motivation to improve, grow, and seek out positive lifestyle changes. However, I know I won't be able to sustain any of my desired improvements if I try to make them all at once. Instead, I thought it would be fun to choose and develop one new habit each week. This week I will be focusing on drinking plenty of water throughout each day...

Source

Drinking more water is such an easy change and does wonders for your skin, your energy, and your overall health.  This photo makes it look so beautifully appetizing. It makes me want to add pretty flavors to my water like slices of cucumber or strawberries.

Do you like to add things to your drinking water?

Bits and Pieces

I have two piano performances scheduled this weekend, one on Friday afternoon (playing Bach and Mendelssohn) and the other on Saturday afternoon. Saturday's performance is a dress rehearsal where I'll be tested by my instructor to see if I know my pieces well enough to perform my solo recital in two weeks. And after writing that sentence I am flooded with a huge wave of anxiety. Lord, calm my nerves. So inevitably I will be daydreaming of last weekend's indulgences of beautiful weather, family time and a soccer game.

On another topic entirely, here is a quick update on some goals I've been working towards:

1. I am on week two of my three-week workout schedule. I've been doing full body lifting three times each week. I'm feeling stronger, and have more energy than I've had in months. It's amazing what consistent exercise can do for a person.

2. Also, I can now successfully quote verses one through eight of James chapter one. My new goal is to extend that memorization through verse sixteen. The new portion goes like this:

9 The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10 But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business. 12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 When tempted, no one should say, God is tempting me. For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 16 Don't be deceived, my dear brothers.

James 1: 9-16 (NIV)

Happy Thursday everyone,