Reflection either shoves you into the fears of the past or propels you into the possibilities of the future . . . your choice

I was at a Christmas gathering in December chatting with a mother and daughter when I felt a tap on the shoulder.  An older couple came over and introduced themselves to me.  With the questions that they were asking me I realized that they had no idea my age.  That is something that I am accustomed to especially within this social setting.  I quickly told them that I was too old to be a part of the program that they were presiding over.  After receiving the initial shocked look, them telling me that they thought I was 10 years younger than I am, the gentleman said something to me that I really took to heart and have thought a lot about.  He said, “I hope that you are doing something with your life and not just sitting in a holding pattern waiting.  Are you doing something good with your life?”

That was the springboard of starting to contemplate what I wanted to accomplish within the boundaries of the 2011 year.  I am one that re-evaluates my goals and desires on a consistent basis, but a new year brings a feeling of a fresh start and a desire to dig back in.  I am aware that when we keep our goals and ambitions to ourselves they are less likely to be achieved.  Being held accountable by someone promotes motivation.  Therefore I am going to place some of my goals on here hoping that I stay motivated.  Other goals are far too personal and so they will be written down and shared with my journal and only One other.  He always does a grand job of reminding me.

Temple:  For years now I have made it to the Temple on a weekly basis.  As I pondered this goal I considered several different options on how to take what has now become a habit and mold it into more of a growth opportunity for me.  I immediately knew the change that I needed to make.  I will continue to attend weekly, but at least once a month I need to not do initiatories and instead do an endowment session.  It may seem like only a small thing, but I know that it will do me well to take the time to do an endowment session and then take time to ponder in the Celestial Room. 

Preparation:  I have made note lately that I really need to put my affairs in order just in case.  I decided that I needed to have a Will prepared for such an occasion.  This is only fair to my family.

Side note: I met with my attorney today.  The Will and a Trust is in the works.  All should be handled and put into place by the end of this month.  Now I just need to tell my executor of the specific items that need to be given to an individual.

Travel:  Pure joy fills my soul when I am able to explore the world.  Whether it is a trip to a canyon ten minutes away or across the globe to an exotic land, my heart soars in the beauty and excitement of seeing new places and having new adventures.  My goal this year is to get out and enjoy more of the world around me.  It has been far too long since I wondered from the comfort of my home and discovered someplace new.  Whether it be a new hike or bike trail, or traveling hours away on a plane, my goal is to explore six new sights this year with one being taking a “must see” off my list.  Possibilities are endless and my passport is itching to be stamped at least once.  Friends in other States, beware as you may just have company at some point during this coming year.

Side note: I have put down money and will be traveling to Israel, Jordan and Egypt later this year.  I can’t even begin to describe how excited I am about this trip.

Physical Fitness:  Although my family thinks that I am crazy (which I love them for thinking that I don’t have it to lose), I have decided that I want to drop 20 pounds.  That would put me back to 140 pounds which is where I was when I left high school.  I am finding that my scale keeps going up a pound or two as the years have gone by and it is time to put a stop to and reverse it.  Running and yoga are going to come into play and I am putting it as a goal to do one or the other at least four times a week.

Side note:  I have a very good friend who approached me on Sunday and asked if I would be willing to train with her and then do a 60-mile bike ride with her.  Since it fits right in and keeps me accountable to someone, I told her if she found the bike ride I would be more than willing to do it with her.  This also means that rather than running the 5K this year in the Salt Lake City Marathon, I am now looking at doing the 26-mile bike race as a warm up.

Reading:  I love to learn and I adore reading.  My goal for this year is to read 30 new books.  That is only two and a half books a month.  On top of that reading I have also decided that my spiritual reading needs to be more focused.  I haven’t read the Book of Mormon cover to cover since President Hinckley issued his challenge the before his passing.  So I am going to pick that up and read it again cover to cover and I am also with preparation for Sunday School and my trip to the Holy Land, going to read the New Testament cover to cover.  Jane Eyre is also on my must re-read this year list but all three of those books will not count toward my goal of 30 new books this year. **Please if you have read any great books and think that I would enjoy them, please share!

As for the rest of the time I always manage to keep myself busy . . . tonight I am off to the Jazz vs. Knicks game.  I have tickets to the U2 concert.  I have renewed my Utah Football tickets.  I have tickets to various plays around town.  Plus, I never know what will come up in between.  I do have a six-month membership to Universal Studios that I can always use.

So the answer to that question, is a most resounding yes!  I am doing good with my life.  I do look forward with much anticipation to certain promised blessings, but I haven’t put my life on hold.  I think constantly of those blessings and carry them with me always and look forward when I get to share all that I have had the opportunity to do which has made me the person that I am and that I am becoming.