Day 6: What's Intended for January?

As promised I sat down and come up with the outline for this the first month of living on purpose.

January Focus: Spiritual
As I previously mentioned, this month will have a spiritual focus in that I will determine an overall picture for 2013. Today I started jotting down some notes about what big things will happen this year and when they will happen. I was trying to get a broad view of the schedule; see if I could figure out which  months will have which foci (I looked it up: focuses or foci is acceptable). I found it rather simple to fill in the early months, January, February, March... and then October, so I've got a few big gaps in my schedule that I have yet to define. Thankfully, I've got plenty more month to work it out. Once I nail down the process, I may leave a few months empty and wait for the appropriate inspiration.

Physical 
So my physical aspirations for the month are somewhat laughable to the me of a few years back. My main goal is to simply run 2 miles under 20 minutes. Ever since my torn ACL my exercise program has been touch and go. I'll do well for a while and quickly taper off for some excuse or another. Last year I did a pretty good job training for the Bolder Boulder in Colorado. I ran the race, I was marginally happy with the results and then I quit training. This year I'm going to follow in the footsteps of my brother and plan more events through out the year. In so doing, I hope to have a continuous reason to keep training. I have often made the excuse that I don't know how to train without a team. Well it's time to learn, Lydia.

In conjunction with running a little faster a little longer, I'm going to ride a little harder. Today I set up my bike in the living room and spent some quality time kicking off the 2013 biking season.

More biking to come in future blogs.

Also, in the physical stream, I'm making a concentrated effort to eat better. I think this may shed some light on migraines; or perhaps living a healthier life will just ward them off all together! We can hope! Pictured below are some of my adventures into eating healthier. Please note that I still prefer to eat with the smaller fork. :)

Above is the delicious black bean and quinoa burrito bowl. Below is a week full of breakfast oatmeals and lunch salads. I also made some homemade snack/energy bars today, but they don't look particularly appetizing so I'll save you the pain.


Intellectual 
This month my intellectual quest is to live by the budget. I have already spent every dollar on paper before I will spend it in a store or in bills this month. We are now one week into Candis's college education, which means the income has dropped pretty substantially while the outgo trends towards the same. Having everything planned out in advance gives me the confidence to say, "Don't worry, I got this." In the meantime, I get the distinct selfish joy of knowing I'm helping another person follow her dreams. This gives me such satisfaction; I can't put it into words.

To help meet the goal of living by a budget, we started using the envelope system for groceries, entertainment and other personal expenditures. Yesterday and today were the first official days of the envelope system. Knowing that I have this X amount of money to buy food really helps plan out the grocery trip, and because of that planning we saved 27% on our groceries just by using coupons or looking for the sale. We chose to buy our produce from locally sourced West Seattle Produce, and I think we saved significantly there over Safeway. We have also investigated the option of Amazon Fresh for delivery and we may try that another time.

Social
During college, social and spiritual goals were more difficult for me to define versus physical and intellectual goals. Not much has changed. I can look at my life and easily say, "I want to learn that!" or "I want to run/jump/play that!" But when it comes to being social, well I'd really rather not. As an introvert I have to really focus on being more outgoing, more friendly... more social. This month my social goal is to blog at least 10 times. You might say I need to step it up, but having let the blog go by the wayside before, I think this is a pretty hearty goal.


Well that pretty well sums up day 6, the progress I've made and the goals I've set. I'd like say a sincere thank you to you my readers. Hearing from you really encourages me to keep writing; with every comment, fb message, text message and phone call I renew my promise to myself to live 2013 intentionally. Thank you!

Day 4 of Living Intentionally: Defining the Fine Print

Today January 4th, 2013 is the 4th day of my quest to live intentionally. In my last post I had a stream of small text at the bottom basically stating "I really have no idea what I'm doing but I've got big philosophical dreams. I'll try hard." After the re-debut of my blog, I don't want to let us (you and me) down. Thus I will now attempt to provide structure in which my dreams can live.

Having mulled "Living Intentionally" for a day and a half, I think the easiest way for me to tackle such aspirations is to compartmentailize my goals. Revisiting my previously published list and sorting though additional items in my head and on various scraps of paper scattered about my desk, I came to the conclusion that most everything will fall into one of four following catagories.

(Spoiler alert: if you're one of my lovely sorority sisters, you know where this is going.)


Spiritual  - closely akin in interests, attitude, outlook; not solely religious persuits.

Physical - of or pertaining to the body; physical exercise.

Intellectual - appealing to or engaging the intellect: intellectual pursuits.

Social - pertaining to, devoted to, or characterized by friendly companionship or relations.


Quite fitting that on January 4th, my 4th day of intentional living, I produce (reproduce) 4 aims.

Right now I'm thinking each month will have a focus, but I'll still have smaller goals in each of the other three catagories. I can already think of a few goals that will fall into more than one catagory; well good for them!

January, being the first (best) month of the year, shall be a Spiritual Month. Seems fitting as I've set out to define the parameters of my intentional living style. I'm going to take time to reflect on what I want to do this year in all four aims. By the end of the month I'll produce at the very least a list of 12 or more major things to achieve this year. I also aim to produce some sort of personal visible tracking system. Over the next week or so, I'll provide January goals for the physical, intellectual, and social aims.

At the outset I know it'll be easier for me to define physical and intellectual goals; those have always been second nature to me. Social and spiritual will be a little more challenging to nail down; more reflection will be required there.

Thanks for reading,
Lydia

2013: The Year I'll Live Intentionally

In case you missed the count downs, be it the best music of 2012 or the ball drop in NYC replayed numerous times, it's a new year. The latest end of the world has come and gone; the world is still here. I'm still here.

2012 was pretty darn good to me. The biggest highlights: a new job and moving much closer to downtown Seattle. I'm closer to work, closer to friends, and closer to so many opportunities I have yet to discover. To celebrate these wonderful changes, I'm applying the energy of change to the new year.

I've never been one to make yearly resolutions, frankly I don't like them. However, at the end of December, I couldn't ignore my inner voice whispering, "2013 is going to be so awesome! Just think of all the things you'll do." So I started making a list in my head.

• 2013 will be the year I take the PE exam! 
• 2013 will be the year I start saving for a new house!
• 2013 will be the year I slow down to investigate my migraines!
• 2013 will be the third year I participate in St. Baldrick's!
• 2013 will be the second annual summer vacation to see all my college friends!

I came up with a number of other things I want to accomplish, and I started to wonder how I could possibly fit them all in one year. For a few days I came to the same conclusion, I just couldn't shake the idea, I want to live intentionally; live on purpose. This year with my rediscovered thirst for life, I will fight the fog, fight the desire to let life happen to me. 

This year I will happen to life, on purpose.

The fine print: I'm still working out the details. I'd like to set daily, weekly, monthly, yearly goals. I haven't figured out how I'll track these or how detailed these will be. I do know I'd like to blog more in order to hold myself accountable to my intentions, and I'd love to hear the support and feedback from my friends and family. 

    

Changing Perspective

I recently stumbled upon two very different accounts of life. I encourage you to read each and arrive at thoughts of your own. I haven't got much to say about each specific piece.

The first a view of a the life of a 104 year old shut in, Huguette Clark.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38719231/ns/business-small_business

The second a three part journal by Mike Celizic, a news reporter for the TODAY show.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/31526935/ns/today-today_health http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/31831869/ns/today-today_health http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/38771115/ns/today-today_health


My Thoughts:
In the first selection, I read about a woman, age 104 who has amassed more money than I can imagine, more possessions than I could ever want. She has money to give 10 million to a friend or charity in need. She has a collection of dolls from all around the world. She sold a violin for $6 million, which is pocket change anyway. Yet, no one, save her accountant and attourney, has seen her in approximately 2 decades. 2 decades!! That is my entire lifetime! I'm sure you could present a decent arguement that she's not even alive (I've already done so in my head); however, even if you don't account for the last 20 years, did she really live life? What is life with out the friends and family who fill our day to day? The phone calls, post cards, love letters, emails, facebooks, texts, support, care, love. Yet every day I wake to join the daily rat race chasing down the next dollar to pay the next bill or buy the next thing.

In the second selection, I read about a man approximately age 60 facing certain death and dealing with it rather publicily. He's choosing to die rather than to continue fighting. My first inclination is to morn for this man, to lament the passing of another life, but in the end he won me over in his celebration of a life well lived. While he may be admitting defeat to a horrible enemy called cancer, he has certianly won in his "terminal disease called life." Perhaps I'm a sap, perhaps a bit too sentimental at times, but I'm not afraid to tell you that after reading this, I did in fact take the time to look around and appreciate my life, to stop and smell the roses so to speak.

After I began writing this post (more than a month ago now), a friend suggested I read The Last Lecture. I am now passing that suggestion on to you, especially if you are possessed by science. First sentence of the book, "I have an engineering problem." He goes on to tell his story and how he too showed life who's boss. Again, I'll leave you to read and reflect on your own, but here's a box of tissue; my sleeve ran out of dry space.

My Soapbox:
Atop my soapbox is a preachy place, but know that these suggestions are as much for me as they are for you, perhaps even moreso. I prescribe that you read it with a grain of salt, note that I'm learning along the way and that this might just be a personal pep talk in a public forum.

Perspective is everything and I (we) am (are) capable of changing the way I (we) look at my (our) surroundings. (you get the theme of the parens I hope). Just as I can take a physical model in my hand and rotate it around to see all the different sides, I can take my life and flip it 'round. Sometimes it takes time and distance to see what I didn't see right away when life happened in front of my face. ("Hind sight is 20/20") Other times, it is my responsibility to "get a grip" and try looking from a different view point. So lately I'm trying my hardest to keep life in perspective, to see from the objective, take note of all the positive, and find the pluses in every minus.

Life and Such:
or what you really came to my blog to read. If you made it this far, Congratulations!! Your prize is an update on things.

Things are much the same, but perspectives are changing both physically and mentally. A puzzle may at first glance seem difficult, arduous and frightening, but rotated or shifted slightly it becomes quite simple, quite light and entertaining.

Kanee update: I am 6 months out of surgery, no longer in physical therapy, and I've been cleared to run, officially. Using the next few monthes to "make this leg stronger than the other" and strengthen my core muscles. The next major milestone will be in December when I will get (buy) a custom fit brace so I can go back to playing competitive sports. Additionally, as you've probably heard, I have officially paid off the medical world and I own my knee.

Job: still here, things are getting a little more interesting. Although i did reread that manual about urinals and hammers through pipes...

Apartment: Moved to Tacoma about a month ago! I went for the classic apartment complex this time around because the things about my townhouse that I used to find cute grew rather annoying. Now I can play all the raquet ball I want, and if I so choose, I can join the masses of washingtonians that have fake tans. I have discovered that a raquet ball court actually makes a suitable subsitution for an entire soccer team...

Brecks: He's still adorable, per the norm.

Furthering my education: I passed the FE, woot. I'm taking the GRE soon with the intent on returning to school circa fall 2011,

Recent or interesting events: Sam visited, Mom visted, attended a wedding, saw my bff and met her boyfriend for the first time ever. I ate spam, and put my hair in a ponytail.

Oh Hey There, You!

I'm so glad you still take the time to check in on me despite my complete failure to update! For that poor behavior, I offer you my sincerest of apologies. I could probably spend a whole blog on excuses, but that would be a waste of your time of which I've only got a brief moment.

Soooooo, what have I been doing since we talked last? (Please forgive me for the list format; it really is the most efficient manner.)

Snowboard Buying & Snowboard Flying
Birthday Celebrating
Liz & John Visited
Migraine Drug Testing
Professional Women's Football Playing
Knee Crunching
Emily Visited
Lisa and Rachel Visited
Dad Visited
Truck Buying
Knee Repairing (and buying)
Fundamentals of Engineering Testing
Road Tripping

and

Life Defining and Self Awakening.

It has been quite a trial for me of late, as you or may not be able to discern from the list. While many things on that list are quite fun and exciting, I fell off the fun train somewhere in late February (around the knee crunching time). So perhaps, I think, you should be thankful I didn't update you from the depths. Should you still want to make up for our lost time, I suggest you give my parents a ring and ask them how much they enjoyed my frequent phone calls, for I don't care to go back over it all again.

Onward, onward I say!

In late April, I went on a road trip to Eastern Washington. To select my destination, I might as well have thrown a dart at a map and said okay. In reality, I picked based upon hotel pricing and drive time. The drive had to be long enough to get me away from here, but short enough that my newly repaired knee wouldn't get sore. Wenatchee, Washington fit this bill. The drive was over a mountain pass surrounded by trees - beautiful. The sound track was a mixture of country music and old mix tapes - perfect. The company was Brecks - adorable.

I brought with me a book: How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie, some paper, pens, and clothes for sleeping. (lots and lots of sleeping)

I left with a renewed sense of self, a few goals on my horizon, my worries divided and conquered, and plenty of lost sleep back on the books.

The mission was to get a grip - accomplished.

****************************************
As used to be per usual, this is the point where I beg for comments and updates on your life. I do miss you dearly, though I don't say it often, and can't wait for our next chance to cross paths. Love you.
****************************************
I cannot make you stand up and walk.
I can only show you I do.
I cannot force you to smile.
I can only share mine with you.
I cannot compel you to love.
I can only give you mine.

I'm on my way back...

But in the meantime, chew on this:

Just For Today

Just for today I will be happy. This assumes that what Abraham Lincoln said is true, that "most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." Happiness is from within, it is not a matter of externals.

Just for today I will try to adjust myself to what is and not try to adjust everything to my own desires. I will take my family, my business and my luck as they come and fit myself to them.

Just for today I will take care of my body. I will exercise it, care for it, nourish it, not abuse it nor neglect it, so that it will be a perfect machine for my bidding.

Just for today I will try to strengthen my mind. I will learn something useful. I will not be a mental loafer. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration.

Just for today I will I will exercise my soul in three ways. I will do somebody a good turn and not get found out. I will do at least two things I don't want to do, as William Janmes suggests, just for exercise.

Just for today I will be agreeable. I will look as well as I can, dress as becomingly as possible, talk low, act courteously, be liberal with praise, criticize not at all, not find fault with anything and not try to regulate nor improve anyone.

Just for today I will try to live through this day only. Not to tackle my whole life problem at once. I can do things for twelve hourse that would appal me if I had to keep them up for a lifetime.

Just for today I will have a program. I will write down what I expect to do every hour. I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it. It will eliminate two pests, hurry and indecision.

Just for today I will have a quiet half-hour all by myself and relax. In this half-hour sometimes I will think of God, so as to get a little more perspective into my life.

Just for today I will be unafraid. Especially I will not be afraid to be happy, to enjoy what is beautiful, to love, and to believe that those I love, love me.

-- Sybil F. Partridge

HUGE SALE!!! 10 for 1 SPECIAL!!! YOU DON'T WANNA MISS THIS ONE!!!

That's right folks, this is a big deal! The boss is on vacation and we're offering sales you won't see until the next time the old man takes off. Our biggest deal of the week is our 10 for 1 special; that's 10 topics, 10 big topics, in just 1 blog!!

So now that you are clearly intrigued enough to keep reading, I'll give you the low down of what's to follow. Basically I had stopped writing for a while because I felt as though I had nothing exciting to write about, and then suddenly I had so many things to write about and not enough time in which to write about them. Think about any countdown you've ever read, listened to, or watched only I don't have the time or the sponsors to throw in the cliff hanging, time eating commercial breaks. Enjoy!

Number 10: The rain
The infamous Washington rain has finally made its debut. I was beginning to think it was all big ruse these Washingtonians(?), Washingtonites (?) Washington state residents (!) were using to keep everyone else away. Mother nature proved her point, however, when I woke up Saturday morning around 7:30 expecting that it was still around 5 based upon the light coming in my room. The majority of the weekend was a bit dark and gloomy. While this may sound depressing, I assure you this weather promotes a great napping climate: soothing pitter patter of rain drops, cool comforting breeze, and little to no sun. I have yet to fully assess how this will affect my productivity in other arenas.

Number 9: Home Decor
I decided my apartment was still a little bare. I had adequate furniture but something was still missing. So I went through an in depth search of my photographic records of the people I love and surrounded myself. This was the perfect house warming touch. From my comfy spot on the couch I can see a smiling friend or family member in any direction I look. Now if only I could find a way to make them wave like the ones in Harry Potter. Hmm.

Number 8: Technology Upgrade
I bought my very own television. It's pretty and it's all mine. nuff said. You'll just have to oogle the picture below. Better yet, you could come visit and see it in person while sitting on my big comfy couch. (additionally you can see some of my decorating in this picture)

Number 7: The Champs Have Returned
Softball wrapped up nicely. We only lost one game the whole season, and not to make any claims, but I wasn't present at that game. :) Overall it was a blast and I plan on playing again next year. I'll probably have to hit the cages a little over the summer though, because hitting slow pitch really isn't my thing apparently.


Number 6: Well there are a few sports I've never played...
One of those being football! That isn't to say I've never wanted to (insert really long, drawn out, over dramatic, 7th grade girl argues with daddy segment here) but now I'm older and don't really need Daddy's permission... Actually I've discovered that there is a women's professional football league in the United States and they have a team based out of Seattle. I went to one of the training camps, had a great time (although lacing up my soccer cleats triggered my brain to look for things to kick), and am now continuing to follow their work out schedule. There is another training camp coming up in November, and I've been told, "if you continue to show up, you've got a spot on the team." There is a great deal of motivation to give this a shot on my end: new sport, new way to get in shape, new friends, the chance to say "I'm a professional athlete," I get to hit somebody... We'll just have to see how it goes!! If you want to see more about this you can check out the team here: http://www.theseattlemajestics.com/

Number 5: Rotation
I'm about 1 month into my new 3 month rotation, and so far things are monumentally better! My lead is straight out of an old western movie: his name is walt, he's got a booming voice, and he wears plaid shirts! I know you may not consider those to be defining western characteristics, but this is my opinion. :) I like what I'm working on here. I have enough work to keep me busy and it's not 12 of the same things that I need to copy and paste. My mentor, Jack, actually acts like a mentor. He talks to me, helps me find things, and has invited me to join his Wednesday lunch club. My lead, we'll call him Western Walt, actually values my opinion: he asks me for it on a regular basis, genuinely considers what I've said, and then trusts me. This is leaps beyond where I was before! At the end of this three months, in December, I'll get to say where I want to be and the Powers That Be (PTB) will decide where I'm needed most. On the down-low, however, I've heard that PTB have begun placing people where they want to be in an effort to increase retention; it's a novel idea, really.

Number 4: PAAAARTY!!!
So I had a house warming party. It was quite successful. I had about 10-12 of my closest friends (here) over to my place on a Sunday for adult beverages, mexican food, and conversation. I spent the entire week leading up to said party freaking out, cleaning every inch of my apartment, and hoping they still liked me after they saw where I lived. Good news: I'm still friends with everyone who stopped by. Bad news: I over estimated the number adult beverages required, so I'm left to power through them on my own (unless you come visit and help). Lets be fair, I don't enjoy an adult beverage (as much) without company, so its a slow process.

Number 3: People Love Me (and they pick up on my subtle visit me hints)
Over the Columbus Day Weekend, a couple weeks after my house warming party, meaning my house was still clean, I had a few visitors stop by to make my weekend. First CC and Jessie came by on Thursday to see my place and grab dinner at one of my favorite pizza places The Toadhouse. It was really great to see friendly faces from the far far away land of Chicago. We had some delicious pizza and sampled some great beers; the tangerine one was exactly what I would imagine fruitloops and beer would taste like and it wasn't a bad thing. :)

The next day was a half day for me at work and I was off to pick up Christopher from the airport. We stayed over on the Seattle side of the sound and went on the Underworld Tour in Pioneer Square. The tour was a blast, however, depending who you are if (when) you come visit I may take you on the Underground tour instead. I like to describe the rest of the weekend with my brother as a Throwback Weekend. We were following suit with the Broncos, I guess. We slept in, sat around in our PJs alot, ate mac 'n' cheese, went to a movie, and I lost a game of Monopoly (some things never change). This was probably one of my favorite weekends in a long time, I love throw backs!

Number 2: I have rejoined the post 1945 world
I bought a microwave. This was a pretty hard one to rank in the list of ten, but it has over a year since I've had a microwave at my disposal! Christopher, I'm sorry this didn't happen a few weeks earlier. I guess its a good thing we polished off the pizza and mac'n'cheese. So since its been so long, the first thing I did to celebrate was pop a bag of popcorn. As it turns out I was actually recreating the use of the first intentional use of a microwave oven. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microwave_oven) I'm such a scientist.

Now what you've all been waiting for:
Number 1: I met the boy of my dreams :)
He answers most of the time when I call. He likes everything I make for dinner. He greets me with excitement when I get home from work. He likes to cuddle, and he kisses my nose. He's a kitten!

His name is Brecks and he has been described (not by me) as a "cuteness blackhole." WARNING: Don't stare into his eyes, you may fall into a comatose state and be unable to continue your daily activities.

So I hope you feel that you got your money's worth at the sale today, and I hope to hear from you soon! Plan a trip out to see me! We can pop popcorn, sit on the couch with brecks, and watch some excellent TV. Maybe we'll go to dinner at the Toad House and warm up leftovers later, who knows. I miss all of you and I love you too!