Countdown is on; bring it!

What a strange place I find myself. Normally I am a well-organized, over-planned, over-stressed, over-motivated, over-sensitive, etc., person. Who am I kidding? I still am all of these things and hopefully other things not listed, but I’m striving to be more than that. 

What's odd is I'm not exactly sure what specifically I want that more to be.... therefore, it is necessary for me to reflect on this. If I don't know where I'm going, how will I know I've arrived? Time to generate goals, plans, etc. 

In less than a year I’ll be closing another decade: my 30s.  For the first time, I find myself not sure of what I want for my next decade of life. However, I do know what I want to accomplish before March 6, 2014… (it’s  one of the shortest goal lists I’ve ever had)…

By the time I’m 40…

1.     Maintain the positive relationships in my life.

*   My husband is the greatest gift I could have ever been given. My life would not be what it is had I not met him and instantly fell in love. I would not have the two EXTRAORDINARY children we have. I really don’t know how my life would have turned out had we not connected. There are greater plans than those that I set. Thank you, God!

*   My parents, siblings and their families, and in-laws are my lifelines and support. Unconditional love is an AMAZING gift. I hope I am as supportive of each of them as they have been for me.

*   I may not be the most “popular” person with the largest social circle, but I am a person who has TRUE friends. There are things these people have done for me that they’ll never realize how much of an impact it has made in shaping who I am.

2.     Create a Principal’s Podcast

*   I have wanted to do this since I became a principal. It will happen this year. I will begin work on it this summer

3.     Quit drinking Diet Coke

*   I’ve told a group of my students that as of August 14, 2013 Diet Coke will be cut out of my life. So far, I have one week under my belt.

4.     Write a blog entry each month starting June 2013

*   You’re reading this entry, but this blog allows me to tell a few of my thoughts and share a couple of reflections. THANK YOU FOR READING! I do not claim to be an expert of anything, but I, like you, have a story to tell that can only be told through me and with my perspectives. 

*  It is my hope that through this blog I can document what the more of me I will become.

5.     Get new artwork

*   Paul is not all that thrilled about this, however, he loves me and accepts me. The last couple of years the mantra I've lived by is Gandhi's "Be the change you wish to see in the world." This will be incorporated.

6.     Read two personal reading novels

*   One will be Dan Brown’s Inferno and the other will be Anne Rice’s The Wolves of Midwinter

7.     Read two professional novels

*   The Principal as Instructional Leader by Sally J. Zepeda

*   Still trying to decide which of Todd Whitaker’s books to complete: Leading School Change; Four Core Factors for School Success; or Six Types of Teachers

8.     Workout at least three times a week

*   I don’t even recognize myself any more, and yet I cannot prioritize my health. I’m hoping that if I post it to the world it’ll happen.

9.     Live an addiction free life

*   This is a lifetime goal as well. Those who know me know how important this is to me.

Every day I thank God and those who have gone before me for making me who I am. I strive to make them proud, my family proud, my community proud, and myself proud. Pride: Personal Responsibility In Determining Excellence. Believe it!

Lookin’ forward to the BIG 4-0!