Revisiting old friends (i.e. resolutions made)

1.  Wake up early, even weekends:  Achieved some, still struggling other times.
2.  Read more, daily x 2: Ditto.
3.  Cook more, daily: Victory!  And it's easier now :)
4.  Paint more: Yes...but not in the same way I had in mind.  I paint more, but with my daughter!

Reflecting on why I was able to achieve #3:
   - Had a weekly blank note on fridge showing what I made every single day
   - This also kept track of what we ate as a family, how healthy, etc.
   - Can track how frequently we eat out as well.
   - Grocery shopping was definitely more frequent, even in smaller amounts, and took a lot more planning.
   - Had to involve my husband and even my baby sitter with meal planning.

So...I will likely succeed with all my goals/resolutions if I put in that much work for each of them.
Will basically have to break it down to actually doing it on a daily basis and keep an easily accessible record of what I did.

Dreams Revised:

1.  Wake up early...everyday.
2.  Read...daily.
3.  Meditate...daily...x5 :)
4.  Get physically active...daily x 30 min...at least.

Continue maintenance therapy:
- Cook daily
- Paint more (monthly x 1)
- Write more (monthly x 1)

Resolutions...

I never really make new year resolutions, but this year I made some very loose goals to improve my wellbeing:

1. Wake up earlier (everyday, including weekends).

2. Read more (daily, x2).

3. Cook more (daily...).

4. Paint more (monthly...?).

Hoping my goals will lead to other benefits like good health, knowledge and ultimately to happiness.

Found:

Inspiration, at last.

From a little girl with a big smile, while raised in her third foster home, who was taken permanently away from her mother and her boyfriend, who caused her burn injuries.

From the lip smacking and blinking of eyes of a 2 year old boy with paralyzed arms and legs, on a ventilator after a motor vehicle collision.

From the 4 year old girl with Downs Syndrome, born to young parents, watching Barney and sticking her lower lip out at me for interrupting her television experience.

From a 9? year old boy raised in foster homes for more than half his life due to father having been incarcerated and mother shipped back to Mexico.

And from my own little one who runs to welcome me with hugs and kisses when I go home from work.

Inspiration

Looking for it can get you nowhere...

Inspiration will find you when the time is just right.

Missing my creative dimension

In an ideal world I would have the ability to manage my life so that all my passions are closely intertwined with my daily activities. But, alas! Not in this one.

The life of an artist I had so frequently imagined for myself is far from reality for me. Not even enough alotted energy/time to my creative pursuits over months...turning to years. Yet, part of me is always lured to the beauty and art present in unexpected aspects of daily activities and I live again :)

My little cutie is almost 1!

Masha'Allah :)

May she be guided and protected...Aameen.

A new year and new beginnings...

Although it is just 5 days into this year, I have a wonderful feeling about this year. In the coming days and months I sense there will be a lot of change, many accomplishments and all for the good, insha'Allah...