New Years Resolutions Revisited

At the beginning of a new year, it's traditionally the time to reflect on ones life and make resolutions. I usually don't do it because a few years back I decided that one resolution was enough for a lifetime. That resolution is to live without regrets. But at the beginning of this year, things felt different. I decided that I indeed did want to reflect and I forced my friend, Phil, to do it with me. He didn't really know what he was getting in to when he agreed to spend new years eve with me in Austin, Texas.

So before we went out to enjoy what turned out to be a fantastic 80's dance party, Phil and I reflected. And then we made lists. I taped butcher paper to the walls of the western-themed hotel room. We used big markers to write our lists. It was awesome.

While the butcher paper lists are long gone, we preserved the content. When I saw Phil earlier this week, we talked about new years (and the possibility of spending it together again) and our lists. I dug them up and we've reflected again. So here you go.

Erica's Objectives:
1. More fresh fruit and vegetables- I've done a horrible job on this one. Horrible, horrible, horrible. It's amazing my insides haven't rotted away yet. I've got to continue to work on this one. If it's any consolation, I ate an apple for dinner last night.
2. No cussing - I've still got a potty mouth but it's much more under control than it was. For example, my boss hasn't heard me drop an f-bomb since the beginning of the year. And it's not because he wasn't listening, but because there haven't been any at work.
3. MBA - HELL YES, I DID IT!
4. No regrets - Done. This one is easy. It's a way of life for me. It's baked in the way I live. I don't do anything I regret and I don't regret anything I do.

Here are a couple lists that aren't really new years resolutions but were part of the whole process.

Erica's Getting Rid Of:
1. Dating Mr. X (the man who will be unnamed) - Done. Got out of that relationship though I didn't necessarily do it with as much finesse as I should have.
2. 10 pounds - Nope, not even close. I've added 10 though!
3. Being out just to be out - Done! I found a place in myself that allowed me to slow down and stay in. I've been doing an especially good job of being content to stay in since I've moved to Phoenix. Maybe it's because I love my house so much.
4. Always chasing - I was referring to chasing men. Not really sure if I've stopped doing this completely but I've definitely improved. Right now I'm not chasing and that feels good.

Erica's Mondo Beyondo:
1. Six figures
2. Really, really in love
3. Dream house in the desert
4. Luxury car paid with cash
5. Real estate mogul
6. visit Asia
7. Be my own boss
The "mondo beyondo" concept is one I read at Superhero Journal. The idea is to think big (really big) about the future. I'm posting these now because it's good to remember what your big hopes and dreams were...because they change.