(Revisiting and Updating Thoughts)
Updates in Pink
Goals in Blue
2 years have passed ,and well I still haven't achieved really anything on this vision board. I have a myriad of emotions about it, but I can't just be upset about it. It's time to pull up my big girl panties and do something about it. I could go back and change the whole thing and start over again from scratch. But honestly, I still like my vision and I still like my goals. What needs to change is the specificity of the goals and work out a timeline.
1. Family is one of those things that I believe should be on everyone's vison board. I have really had to reconcile this past year what I want my family to be, what it is, and how can I bridge these two things. I know part of it is me. I have expected everyone around me to sort of bend to my vision instead of making some adjustments to myself. I want to spend some time this year really taking stock as to what is important. I know that one of my main goals this year is to say "no" to things that are not healthy in our family and not feel guilty in doing so.
I will chose one late night at work each week. I will leave by 4:15 all other days to spend time with the family. I will focus on my family each evening from the time we arrive home until 8:00. I will take time at 8 to focus on planning for the next day. This should take no more than 30 minutes. Urip and I will seek opportunities to spend more time with the family by cultivating interests with the girls.
2. Investments! For me investments have to do with things that one can not put a price tag on. I want to invest in my knowledge. I firmly believe that I can achieve this with little monetary impact by just picking up a book and reading. Friendship is really going to take on new meaning this year. I really want to develop some amazing meaningful friendships with a diverse group of women. Lastly, I have allowed my health to suffer in the last ten years because of pride and stubborness. I am working to insure better health and a different mindset in how I approach my health. Daily medicine intake has to become priority. I will post in a few weeks on how I am managing to overcome that obstacle.
I will continue to take my medicine on a daily basis as perscribed by my doctor. I will follow up with my doctor in September to check levels. Before returning to work in August, I will take an opportunity to make an appointment for my yearly exam. October will be focused on my eye health. November I will make appointments to see the dentist.
I will work to develop and culitivate friendships by finding time each week to make plans to connect with someone. I will evaluate my relationships more often to guage how healthy they are.
3. Weight Loss - My knees are screaming for me to take a bit of weight off of them. Last March (Actually 3 years ago now) I had the most amazing opportunity to visit Southern Spain (Al-Andulusia). It was breathtaking and romantic. However, I realized that I couldn't enjoy it to the fullest because it was hard to climb the hills and I easily found myself out of breath. My husband was a trooper for allowing my slow crawls at various sites, but I know it must have been a little annoying to him. Especially since when we first married, I could outpace him. I remember standing at the top of a fort telling my husband we would return here to do it again after I had shed some weight. (see # 6 below). I know the only way I am going to shed the weight is to be more proactive and plan for eating and exercise. I will work this year at fueling my body with better food choices. Please stay tuned to the blog to see how it's all working for me.
I will work to develop a meal plan where at least 5 days a week meals are prepared at home. When eating out I will truly make an effort to order meals that are healthy. Once a week, I will indulge in a cheat meal. I will check my weight each Wednesday to determine if any weight has been lost that week.
4. California Dreaming - So it's true I am a Californian and so proud of it. I remember being called "granola" during my college days, and hey I am proud of that. Traveling to California is going to be my 50 pound reward. My family has never got to visit the place I spent the first 10 years of my life. It was magical and breathtaking. I want to make the hike up Mount Rubidoux like I did when I was younger. Also special moments on doing this during a mission trip there in 1996. I want to walk on a beach and check out the amazing treasures that can be found in the tidal pools. I want to soak in the California Sun. Initially, I had placed my visit to California as being contingent on my weight loss. However, this is no longer the case. I hope to visit California sometime at the end of 2017 or early 2018.
5. Spiritual Development - Another must have on any person's list. In a time when faith is often ridiculed or misunderstood, it is so important to get connected. As a Muslim in America, my story and narrative has been taken away by media, fringe groups, and often times those who do not understand my faith. It is important for me to work on developing more of a personal connection so that I can help bridge understanding for others. It has always been my goal to tear down the arrogance that I might exhibit towards my faith in hopes that it will allow others to do the same. Peeling back the layers until we can see our commonalities.
6. Travel - This is a big one. I really touched on this in #3. There are two places I would love to visit this year or the years to come. Realistically I might not be able to do two in 2015. The first place I would love to visit is Belize. I think it would be amazing to do some backpacking and visiting some tropical rain forests. I also know that my darling husband would be over the moon to do this. The other destination I would like to re-attempt is Southern Spain. I fell in love with the city of Malaga while I was there, and I can't think of a better place to celebrate an 80 pound weight loss. So crossing my fingers to see how that turns out.
We will be visiting Iceland in a few weeks. It's not Belize or Southern Spain but it's beatiful and breathtaking. We are taking the girls with us. So not only are we traveling, we are investing. The girls are going with us and wow are we excited.
7. Positive Attitude. I am really going to work on this. I know most people see me as optomistic but I also struggle with anxiety and worry. I want to diminish this in 2015 and see how it can truly bring change to numbers 1-6.
I will begin a gratitude journal in which I will write those things that I am thankful for each day. I will also begin a daily journal of dua (personal prayer requests). This will give me an opportunity to place my anxieties and worries with a higher power than my own.
So there you go! 2015 Vision Board explained. I will be referencing the board throughout the year by using the following tags: FAMILY, INVESTMENTS, WEIGHT LOSS, CALIFORNIA DREAMING, SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT, TRAVEL, and POSITIVE ATTITUDE.
I created my vision board on Polyvore if anyone else is interested in making one. I have also created a pinterest board for vision boards over on Pinterest. You might want to take a look and I would love to see you share yours. Just leave a link in the comments and I will pin your vision board.