The start of each year is a great time to set goals, to evaluate your life and think about how you can improve it. I love to set goals and enjoy doing it every year. The only difference is that I do it in September instead of January. I don’t really know why, but for me this time of year just seems like the right time to make a fresh start. Maybe it’s because summer is so crazy/busy that by the time September gets here it feels like time for a schedule and some order. Maybe it’s because I still have the school teacher in me that looks at the “year” as being from September to June instead of January to December. Or maybe it’s just because in January I’m coming off of a holiday high and am in no mood to set goals. I’m much more in the mood to hole up in my house in big comfy sweats eating like it’s still December. Whatever the reason, I like to set my goals in September. For the past four Septembers one goal has been the same – to start a gratitude journal. Write down five things each day I’m grateful for. (My mom is big on this – she has spoken to many groups about gratitude and being grateful for the little things that make life so great). I’ve started this so many times and for some reason I just never continue with it. I write my five things faithfully for about five days and then forget about it. It’s a goal that just isn’t sticking! So instead of setting myself up for failure again this year, I’m going to try to simplify. Instead of five things a day, I’ll write five (give or take) things each week. And instead of a gratitude journal, I’ll write them on my blog. Maybe this way I won’t set myself up for failure once again. I’m going to call them my “good things.” Little things during the week that made me happy.
OLYMPICS! – It has been so fun watching the Olympics this week! Are these athletes not just simply amazing! They are so talented and so dang physically fit. Michael Phelps is built like a swimming machine. I so hope he breaks the record for the most gold medals in a single Olympics. And what about our American gymnasts? Thighs like rocks. When I’m on the treadmill at the gym I picture the gymnasts‘ thighs as a motivator. Move that incline up just one more…go just a little faster…….and I’m out. Time to go sit on the bike and read my book.
FOOTBALL SEASON – it is upon us. If you know me well, you’re probably wondering why this is on my good things list. By November it will definitely be a bad thing, but for now the idea of the upcoming season is making my husband happy which is in turn making me happy. He’s busy checking his season ticket seats, arranging for our new DirecTV service that will bring every game possible to us in HD, and the smack talk with my little bro (Chargers vs. Broncos) has begun in full force. What can I say. How can I hate something that makes him so dang happy? I’m actually getting excited for a little football to start. Bring on Fall.
OBSESSIONS – for the week have been 24 and Breaking Dawn. We’re mid season two of 24 and it’s better than ever. A nuclear bomb is about to end life for everyone in L.A. and Kenny and I are glued to the tube. As my cousin Jason calls it “Jack Bauer Power Hour!” Bring it!
Good idea Erin, maybe it will catch on. Today I would right “enjoyed girls night out with my girls at the same time” that dosn’t happen much and with Amber moving it will happen less.
Oh Erin, forget Jack Bauer and read that book! I’m at the end and it is a nail biter.
Erin,
You are so dang cute! I remember soo clearly when your mom came and taught Enrichment and talked about this very idea. Believe it or not, I too have tried to do this! Sometimes I’ll find old notebooks with things written in them. It’s pretty funny to see what I was grateful for seven years ago!
I can attest to witnessing Erin do two things on her list! Yesterday she was riding a stationary bike like she was Lance Armstrong with Breaking Dawn in her hands!
Dude, do you want me to just tell you how BREAKING DAWN ends so you can spend more time with Michael Phelps? Let me know.
I think your Mom must’ve done our enrichment forever ago, too! Maybe at Dixie College??? Her passion about things is soooo contagious! Good luck with your new goals! I’m thinking next year I need to go “Glamping!!! I braved it with the baby this year, but I”m thinking it wasn’t all that! I don’t always take time to comment, but I just wanted to tell you that I LOVE your blog. It makes me feel like we’re still in touch!
Great idea Erin…I love the post! It is so fun to notice things that make you smile….the more you notice, the more you can find.
I am very proud of you and look forward to reading your “Good Things” each week.
As for me,
I am grateful for my friend, LeAnn, who shares her beautiful cabin in Pine Valley with her friends…. and she still believes that even though we are all over 50, we are never to old for a sleepover!
Excellent post sis, one of my favorites! You should pay your Sr. Blog Adivsor a little more… I hear she accepts hand-me-down white leather purses as fine currency. When you are done with 24, start up Mad Men and when you’re done with Breaking Dawn get moving through Boleyn Girl and the 10 others I’ve recommended to you! Now I can see why they aren’t getting read though – you’re busy making lists, organizing, glamping, Blogging and riding the stationary bike like Lance Armstrong! Love it!
Erin, Erin, Erin….
Your blog makes me laugh, cry, smile, you name it. I just love ya!! I love your creativity. One day when I get big, I’m going to be Erin…
Koni
ps- Olympics, reading, exercising…what’s that?? I’ve almost forgotten that there’s a world outside my house! Ha!
I think I might try to do something of that grateful nature. I could think of plenty of negatives today. It’s time to turn that frown upside down.
Erin, you crack me up! I can’t wait to talk to you about the book when you finish. I LOVED it, of course!!! I love Ellie’s comment to Addison, how cute!!!
What a good idea! I love your list. No kidding about the Olympics huh? We’ve been watching religiously and loving every minute of it.
Good for you and your “grateful list” That’s a good idea. I have been keeping journals since I was 8 but it is usually to vent and complain. I need to be better at being grateful.
BTW–we are moving to Lehi. It will shave 10-15 minutes off Jeff’s commute. Plus, there is this fabulous new tennis and swim club that we will be joining right by our house. We are very excited.
That’s a fun post! maybe I should be inspired and do something like this too. it’s fun to read what other people are grateful for (or good things). I absolutely love the way you write too, you’re good at it!
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Such a cute post! I love those kind, and love what you wrote about. Love the olympics, [Ryan] is obsessed with football season, I’ve finished all the 24 DVDs (probably within a couple months span), I know I’d be a glamper if we ever went, and breaking dawn…so good. :)
very good idea and very cute blog! I am new to the blog scene and am loving it! Your family is so cute!