...with a little help from my friend!

I am already learning new things this year - but it takes a good teacher to get me to understand anything even remotely technical, not to mention related to computers and the internet!! My gorgeous friend has taught me how to add links to my blog. . . so my first link is to her excellent, and highly recommended blog this broccoli must die!

I love the way she sums up her experiences and gives insight to her values. Without friends like these I would not grow in knowlege myself, nor have the outlet to explore my own wisdom!

Stay tuned for more blogs and websites that I recommend - but for now, it's 41 degrees centergrade!!!! I'm jumping into the pool! ... with my friends!!

I'm too busy to be in a hurry!

I was thinking about how I was going to fit everything into one day recently when I heard someone say the above words, and it made me pause to think!

At first I thought (to put it in the words of Rove McManus) "What the...?!" but then I thought more about it! You know it really does make sense in a weird kind of way!

I have a lot of goals this year (Oh, and I added one more too...) and if I am going to achieve any of them (let alone all of them) I am going to have to put a lot of time and effort into each area I want to improve in! That shouldn't mean that I have to find more hours in each day (like Hermione Grainger in 'The Prisoner of Azkaban') but that I should be better organised and work out what the term 'time management' is all about!

(BTW: I was invited to a time management workshop last year but I kept looking at the invitation and thinking "I must get around to RSVPing to that..." and I never actually did!!! (Sad, but true!) )

If I utilise my time more efficiently and I'm actually organised in my general life and possessions I will be able to put better quality time into my work, goals and achievements without having to give up sleep altogether, notonly that, I should be able to do things to a higher standard than if I ran around like a chook with my head chopped off!

It's a funny thing but when I do get organised I also get excited about what I achieved and that sort of energises me to do other things! Have you ever noticed that?

And my other intention for 2006? It is 'to be a better friend by commitment!' I have already caught up with some people with whom I have been out of touch for a couple of years and I've seen two films this year!! ('Narnia' & 'Rumour Has It' - both good, but Narnia is better!)

So after all that pondering I felt that I had had an epiphany of sorts (and in the season of Epiphany too!!) ...but then I realised that I had lingered a little too long at church and there were people waiting for me at the nearby coffee shop for a catch up so I dashed off! . . .

Making Commitments or Resolutions?

I'm making some resolutions this year, but first I want to tell you about a 'moment' I had in the first hour of 2006!

I said farewell to my closest friend who had come and sat in my parents criminally overhot house where I was looking after 3 of my nieces and nephews, and as she walked to her car I realised I'd been looking forward to the end of 2005 as it had been a difficult one for me in many ways, but in looking back I had overcome a great deal and I'm very proud of the challenges I faced and the setbacks I overcame!

This year I have some goals? ...challenges? ...promises? ...commitments? ...or will I just call them resolutions like everyone else? I tried to rank them in a style of commitment something like this:

I will be healthier by effort.

I will be self confident by practice.

I will be a terrific Creative Memories consultant by consistency.

I will be a more committed and growing Christian by priority.

It seems to me that the four things I aim to achieve this year are kind of impossible for the outsider to measure, so it's a very personal choice I've made, and also that they all support and strengthen one another.

My health is improving by degrees and by knowlege of what my body responds to. By having regular chiropractic treatment for back and neck problems I have almost eliminated the chronic headaches of my past, learned a great deal about cause and effect and taken the next step in prevention of dis-ease in my body by tapping into suppliments which have seen me get through a whole year without a virus, 'flu or even a heavy cold! I am reading and looking into healthier food choices and lifestyle commitments which should see me ...

Feel more energetic and probably lose weight! I should be able to build my self esteem and self confidence by degrees! As my body (and immune system) gains strength, I will feel better equipt to tackle new challenges and every time I succeed (or just try) I will gain a little more! Which will also enable me to...

Put myself into 'scary' situations like (OK don't laugh!) phoning up people! I have a real phone phobia, and it has sadly been reflected in my follow up of friends and customers in my business! By stepping up to talk on the phone, I'll be better prepared for home classes, workshops and accepting new business opportunities!

And my faith? Everything I do and learn is a new opportunity to know God better! Every challenge I undertake I do so with Jesus as my guide and mentor! Every new friend I find is a new reason to thank God! Every good and great thing is a gift from above!

Have a safe, happy and fulfilling new year ... and beyond!