those that can't be measured

i have several things on my list of 43 things that can't be measured.  i'm not sure how to achieve them or how to measure my success.  a lot of them have to do with changing my thinking, which isn't an easy thing to do.  if you have any suggestions on how to do these things or how to measure them, please leave a comment.

1. Let go of the past

2. Celebrate my age

3.  Beat my depression

4.  Manage my time better

5. Start fresh

6. Learn to love myself

7. Take myself seriously

8. Inspire others

9. Be a better friend

These are all pretty self explanatory.  Again I end with an odd number.  Maybe odd numbers aren't so bad after all...

first 3 artistic projects

one of my goals is to do an artistic project each month.

here are the first 3 things i plan to make:

november: ornament for james's christmas tree.  examples:

december: menu board to plan weekly menus.  examples:

january: calendar  examples:

do you see anything that you really like?  suggest which one i should make!

my priorities

there are several goals on my list of 43 things that are a priority to me.  some of these you may see on other lists because there is a little overlapping.  these are the ones that are very important to me.  these are the ones i want to make sure are finished and checked off my list.

although these are priorities, they appear on this list in no particular order.  just know that out of 43 things, these are the top

1. finish my collection of short stories: i really want to finish this.  i've been working on it now for a couple of years.  i want to get my stories out there for others to read, and i want to prove to myself that i can finish something (see #12).

2. let go of the past:  i think i let the past weigh me down.  i need to learn to let go.

3. celebrate my age:  i feel so old all the time, when i am really still quite young.  i want to celebrate where i am.  i don't want to think about how young i once was (see #2) or focus on how old i am getting.

4. beat my depression:  i get tired to being depressed.  the whole point of this is to find a way to be happy.  it'll be much easier to do if i don't feel depressed.

5. walk:  i need to exercise (see #6).  walking would be good for me.  not only it be good to get out and get moving, but it would be a great time for fresh air.

6. lose 30 pounds:  i've put on A LOT of weight.  i feel like a HUGE blob.  when i look in the mirror, i see 300 lbs.  i know in reality it isn't that bad, but i need to take off this weight.  i looked better when i was skinny.

7. get graduate hours needed to teach college english:  this is a goal from april.  i am in my 2nd class.  only 4 classes (12 hours) to go to get the hours needed.

8. learn to love myself:  i want to be enamored with myself.  i'm not perfect, but i want to say i like who i am and not base my self-worth on other's opinions.

9. write daily:  this is so important to reach my goal listed here as #1.  the more i write, the better i will get.  plus, i'll finish things.

10. have a mother/son date every week: i need to spend more time with alex--it's that simple.  if i set aside time for us every week, then it'll be easier to make sure he is getting the attention he needs from me.

11. eat healthy/limit fast food:  see #6.  this would help me lose weight.  it would help if i had more time and energy to cook, but since i don't, i've gotta find some healthy alternatives to the drive through window.

12. follow through with commitments: this one can sum up a lot of what i have listed.  i want to complete things.  i want to go from start to finish on a project.

13.  complete one artistic project a month:  this goes with scrapbooking and other paper crafts and pinterest ideas i want to do.  it is so relaxing for me to work on a project--i want to start completing more.  there are so many ideas out there that i want to make.  i just need to follow through (see #12)

these are my priorities.  you may see some of these repeated in another post, but these are my top focus goals right now.  i don't like that there is an odd number though...

time to pencil it in

some goals from my list of 43 things deserve their own post.  others can be lumped together.  this post includes all the goals i want to set that i just need to break down and schedule on my calendar.

1. get my teeth cleaned on a regular basis:  i set this goal in april.  i've done a good job of it so far.  i've been twice since i set this goal.  with my bad gums, i need to go 3 or 4 times a year.

2. attend a protest:  just gotta find one to go to.  one where there won't be a lot of wackos!

3.  ride in a hot air balloon:  i set this one back in april as well.  i just looked into it and it's SO expensive.  this should say: save money to ride in a hot air balloon.

4. volunteer:  i've tried to get this one worked out, but haven't yet.  i'll keep looking!

5.  attend a gala: again, just gotta find one i can afford.

6. take a cooking class:  i have looked into this one as well.  i think i'll try something with leisure learning.  just have to get one on the calendar.

7.  do two social events a month:  i did okay with this when i set the goal back in april.  i need to get out a bit more.

8. find 10 things i have never done in the Houston area and do them: pretty self-explanatory.  just gotta get busy finding the events.

9.  try zumba:  i hear it's great exercise, which is something i really need!

10. attend other meet-up events:  i belong to a couple of meet-ups, but never go to their events.  i only go to my meet-up events.  i want to branch out, attend some events, and meet new people.

my goal is to get half of this list scheduled before the end of the year.  that does not mean it has to be completed by the end of the year---just scheduled!

looking for happiness

i've been on a long journey.
i've been looking to find happiness.
i am beginning to realize it is not something you find.  it is a state of mind.
i want to change the way i think and become a happier person.

with all that said, today i will start documenting that journey.  i will keep track of what i do and write about my successes and times that i need to try harder (there will be no failures!).  

i'm using the 43 things website to set my goals.  i will make posts about my different goals, tell why they are goals, and report my progress.  i first started with 43 things at the end of april.  since then, i did 10 things on my list.  i want to try to go into the new year completing about half of what is on my list.

i invite wisdom, advice, and fellow travelers on this journey with me.  i believe it is possible to change my way of thinking and be a happier person.