The new year is rapidly approaching and I have begun to review what my intentions were for 2010. Over this last year many things were accomplished and experienced. Some of my intentions were met in ways that I expected, some in unexpected ways, and others continue to be a work in progress. Below is a brief summary about what I’ve learned.
Balance: As I continue to work for a mental health agency that is struggling to stay afloat like so many others during this economic time balance has continued to be a challenge. With this intention in mind last year I committed to keeping work at the office 90% of the time and avoiding over booking myself on the weekends. I consider myself very successful in keeping work at work, although I worked a lot! Because I want to spend time with friends in family I continue to learn how to balance out my weekends so that I have time to recover from my work week, but am still able to socialize with those I care about.
Calm: As with many families in 2010 there was much family drama. I focused on staying out of other people’s business and focusing on what helps me to have a calm life. Sometimes the decisions I made were viewed as hurtful by those I love, but it enabled me to have an overall calm life.
Create: My focus was on learning how to create in a different way rather than in my comfort zone (music). I experimented with ATC cards, art journaling, art journal round robin, sewing, multimedia art, and continued to grow as a musician. I also created an ongoing art journaling group at my mental health agency for teenage girls that is going into its third round.
Gratitude: I continue to work on practicing gratitude everyday. This year I was grateful to become a licensed MFT, take several trips with friends, grow spiritually, grateful to survive lay offs, and continue to spend time with those closest to me.
Service: As my life gets better and better I have become more focused on giving back to those that need support. This has been a great year of service. From helping to organize a benefit concert to my everyday work I believe that I have continually strived to be in service to others.
Spirituality: I’ve continued to learn more about my higher power and improving my relationship with God. Speaking to God on a daily basis is something I still work on, but I continue to try. Trusting that God has a great plan for me has been proven over and over again. Committing to continue learning about my spiritual beliefs is something that will continue in 2011.
Learn: This has been a year of learning. I’ve gained friends and lost friends, set boundaries and unset boundaries, read books, took classes, participated in workshops, taught workshops, learned about work politics, and watched YouTube Videos. After exploring what I would like to learn about next I decided that in 2011 I would like to apply for and be accepted into a PHD Program.
Trust: This has been a great year for learning how to trust myself and others. I was forced to trust some close friends for support with a medical issue and was taught a great lesson about trusting myself when I feel something is wrong with my body even when medical professionals say I’m wrong.
Next up will be the revealing of my 2011 Intentions. So exciting to do this for another year.
