2012 = I CAN!

I am really excited to see what 2012 holds for my life. I've been reflecting a lot about what I want in 2012 and on what I have learned from 2011. I have chosen my theme for 2012 to be two simple words: I CAN! As I have been working on my personal goals I have come to know that I am made of stronger stuff than I think and that if there is something I really want to do, I can do it. I am strong, I am smart and I am determined. Now that I am leaving behind the negative voice that I have let rule a lot of what I do, I have a feeling that 2012 is going to be FREAKIN' INCREDIBLE!!!

I decided not to set New Year's Resolutions because many of my resolutions never really get accomplished.  But there are a few things that I really want to put most of my focus on.  Here they are:

1. Be an answer to someone's prayers.   I have had such a great desire lately to serve others and really try to make a difference.  I think a large part of this is giving my heart over to God and asking Him to guide me to where I can be of most help.  I love the scripture "Be still and know that I am God."  I am going to spend more time this year being still and really listening to God and following His spirit.  The times in my life when I turn off the t.v., the laptop and the cell phone and enjoy the silence my heart immediately turns to my Father in Heaven and my heart is filled with His love.  This is something I want to do more often this year. I don't know if I will ever know if I have actually be an answer to someone's prayer, but I know that if I listen to the Spirit and actually act upon those promptings, I will have the opportunity to bless someone else's life and help them feel the love God.  I know it will happen.  I have been given so much in my life and it is up to me to give back.  "Where much is given, much is required."

2. Try to attend the temple at least 4 times a year.  Now that I have an actual ward that I attend I visit with the bishop and I have a relationship with my savior, I want to go to the temple more. I have wanted to make a goal to go monthly but being realistic you always hope it will happen and yet it never does. So that is why I picked 4 times a year. So if it's more GREAT if not it's okay at least I went 4. 

3. Finish school/decide and stick with it.  This goal is going to be hard for me. With losing my job and applying for over 60 jobs and only getting 3 interviews, I believe that school is the answer to better educate myself.  Currently I'm taking a course to become a medical coder and billing specialist. I'm hoping that when I finish this course I will be able to get a job that pays well and give good benefits so that I can return to UVU and finish up my bachelors in something related to the medical field. As many of you know I have been struggling figuring out what I want to do I've decided but then shortly later I will change my mind. It's a huge decision and I want it to be the right one and I want to be happy in the job I choose to be in for the rest of my life. So I'm hoping this year I can finally make a decision and stick with it.

4. Go on a date or meet new people. This is a goal I wasn't sure if I wanted to talk about or not. But since this is kind of like my journal I figured I would. To be totally honest I have never been asked out on a official date before in my life. It's funny to say that being in high school I pretty much had a "boyfriend" but it was never "official". As I get older I sometimes feel as if there is something wrong with me that boys are turned off by or if I'm doing something wrong in my life. This year I want to change that and be more brave when it comes to new things that might be out of the box. I want to try and be more confident and less shy around people and hopefully I can get a date or at least make new friends. 

I hope you all enjoy a happy New Year.  I hope you choose to "REALLY LIVE" and do things that you've always wanted to do but for some reason have not done.  Jump out of airplanes.  Take up running. Go on that trip you've always wanted to go on.  Express your love to those most important in your life.  Forgive that person in your life who has been seeking your forgiveness.  Laugh a lot.  Cry a lot.  Be a good listener.  Put your arms around your family members and hold on to them with all your strength.  Believe in yourself.