New Year, New Dreams

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Hello! And welcome to 2018!

It’s a new year to learn, grow, and be amazing!

Last year I blogged about resolving not to have resolutions, but instead have goals and make a plan to accomplish them. I set forth several goals and as much as I would love to tell you that I have accomplished all of them, that’s definitely not the case. But I’m not sorry about it, I’m glad for what was accomplished. Here’s why…I have grown more last year than I ever thought I would.  

Last year, my goal was to run another half marathon, but after developing runners knee, my goal and hope withered. I searched for another goal, but my legs just didn’t cooperate. So I decided to set my goal towards something different, I just didn’t know what. There I was, doing everything possible to live and be a good mom, wife, and friend and yet I felt like I was burning the candle at both ends.  

And then Hurricane Harvey hit

Hurricane Harvey devastated our hometown of Vidor, Texas. Most of it was underwater and totally devastated. My family and I decided to do what we could to help, in any way that we could, to be an asset in the rebuilding process. We were able to partner with friends and gather so many donations that we were able to get to Vidor. We were able to send cash and gift cards from a 5k Fun Run that we set up with the help of Fleet Feet Summerville.  

New Year New Dreams

Then it hit me, like a ton of bricks. I wanted to write a book. During all of this turbulence, I decided to write a children’s book and although the idea was very exciting, the thought of dealing with publishing was overwhelming. I reached out to publishers and it was a total dud. I went from elated to devastated several times at the beginning. Thinking about illustration, formatting, and copyrights,  and doing it all on my own was just frustrating.  

But I knew that this was something that I wanted to do, so I asked my nine-year-old daughter to help with the illustrations. She was so precious, drawing all these cute little parts of the book. I learned how to format, as well as all of the rest of the things that needed to be done to self-publish. It wasn’t easy, but it was amazing to finally realize that we had completed our book, Why Did You Make Mosquitos? Check out sweet Charlie reading his copy.  

A few weeks after the children’s book was released, I finished my second book. It is currently in the editing phase and will soon be released. I am so excited to publish the Worrier’s Wish List and I hope that it helps people deal with their anxiety.

The point of this is; my initial goal was awesome. To run my second half marathon would have been so great for me, but when that goal was taken out of the realm of possibility, I found a different goal. Plus this other goal helps others, not just myself. I still have a plan to run not only a half marathon, but also a full marathon in 2018, but:

My main goal is to help others to find peace and grace in the new year. 

I am still resolved not to make resolutions, but my goals are more exciting and intense than last year and that makes me so excited to make plans and accomplish them all.  

What about you? Are you going to accomplish your goals this year? Maybe change a goal of bettering just yourself, but also helping others to better themselves. Not just those far away, but what about your neighbor, friend or co-worker. Even a smile at the right time is a great way to lift someone up who is having a hard day.

So that is my challenge for you; I challenge you in 2018 to make it the best year for you AND someone else!