March Forth on March 4th

Photo found here.

The very inspiring Amy Krause Rosenthal, she of Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life and The Beckoning of Lovely fame, has come up with March Forth on March 4th.

It's kind of a New Year's Resolution: Redux.

I have been quite good about my word. FOCUS has been front and centre since in my life since it's selection in January and has remained on my mind every day. Every single day. It has impacted every aspect of my life and I've accomplished a ton since being more aware and mindful of my surroundings.

In that long week between Christmas and New Year's, I posted three entries focused on what I was planning to do:

Creative Endeavours

Most of which I've managed to attempt or maintain, though, sadly the two I was most interested in I have not figured out how to put in my creative diet! I would dearly love to figure out how to add more Creative Everyday and Creative Therapy into my life. I'll get there, really I will. Though, some of my creative endeavours have exceeded my outline and that makes me very happy!

Resolutions, Plans, Intentions and Goals

Never did I expect Gretchen Rubin's Happiness Project to be such a part of my February, now March. I have been reading her blog since forever and didn't "get it" until I picked up her book. The book is PHENOMENAL. I am a book person, clearly: it is a tangible source of inspiration, something I can see, read and reference, quickly and it's portable! I had no idea when I wrote my entry in December that this would be so relevant in March, this project resonates, completely! I had planned to implement the Happiness Project and with the addition of the book I can implement it more, if that makes any sense. The old adage "never say never" is old for a reason!

Word 2010: Focus

My list of things to focus on, as posted at the end of December was:

 

FOCUS: Lose 10 pounds each month
RESULT: Um, no. I have been good about eating better, way better. It has not lead to any weight loss. Clearly my body requires a one-two punch of diet AND exercise. I have lost 25 pounds since September, but I can still afford to lose a lot more!

 

FOCUS: Walk 10,000 steps each day

RESULT: So not doing this and think about it every.single.day. I'm such a loser. Thinking is NOT doing. Excuse: Cole has MY shoes at school in his locker and though I have asked for their return every day for over a month, they are not home. Solution: Buy a new pair. But really, come on. He does have to give me my shoes, doesn't he? (Since he reads my blog, maybe it will serve as a reminder. What do you think?)

 

FOCUS: Read 2 novels each month
RESULT: Okay, I've read only one (A Wrinkle in Time - YA, but reading for Chloe now that Cole is done and LOVED it!) I re-attempted The Shack, no go, again - after almost losing one child it's a difficult read and takes me back to places I don't want to be. So one book is better than none, but still not good! I have to stop with the "other" books that entice me so: What The Dog Saw and The Happiness Project are my parking lot reading choices currently.

 

FOCUS: Complete 365 layouts by September 30, 2010

RESULT: I'm a binge-scrapper. I think I'll make it!

 

FOCUS: Continue to say "yes" as often as possible

RESULT: Due to circumstances - um, my life - parenting often takes priority to what I'd like to accomplish. I have to say that I have implemented the "yes" strategy with great results! There is far more humour in our house, everyone is less tense, far more kind to each other. When I say "no" it is done nicely, but they really listen and respect my response. Love it!

 

FOCUS: Organize all photographs - digital and physical

RESULT: Whoot! This has been done on the computer - for the last two years. Now I really have to focus on the physical prints I have littered all over my studio. I'm very pleased with my liberal use of the delete button! The only time I can use the word liberal :)

 

FOCUS: Monthly Field Trip to ROM, AGO or a play, in Toronto

RESULT: This may have been a bit ambitious during hockey season, but there are plans in the works!

 

FOCUS: Take kids to swim with dolphins

RESULT: Research has been done. I think I know where we're going but hockey plans for next year are getting in the way of confirming any plans. I'm thinking we're going to go the first long weekend in September or October. We'll see.

 

FOCUS: Clean out and synchronize Macs regularly

RESULT: This has been done once, and it turns out my blackberry is involved. So good to have everything organized and in sync!

 

FOCUS: Blog every day to exercise writing skills

RESULT: I have not missed a single day since starting this blog (actually, I haven't missed a day in almost two years). Some days are harder than others. I've learned a lot: time management and scheduling posts!

 

FOCUS: Complete all incomplete creative projects

RESULT: Due to the LOAD push, I did manage to write and complete my Me: The Abridged Version project taught by Cathy Zielske, inspired by Amy Krause Rosenthal. Right now I'm in the thick of organizing, scanning and writing my Yesterday and Today project. Wow. Even more wow: there are more projects to do!

 

FOCUS: Send real letters and birthday cards, not electronic

RESULT: As my kids say "epic fail". Do not be waiting by your mailbox. It didn't help when I synchronized the first time I lost a TON of data!

 

additionally ...

 

FOCUS: Participate in Weekly Gratitude Project each week

RESULT: I have participated, though I have not posted each week. Monthly. Still not good enough! But better than not doing anything.

 

Clearly my “eyes were bigger than my stomach” and I chose far too many new things to incorporate into my life. Too much to do all at one time. I’m hoping by the end of the year to have added those things I’ve failed at … so far!

So today, MARCH 4th I will MARCH FORTH and continue on my journey to maintaining and fulfilling the promised made for the New Year :) What about you? Have you maintained your commitment or abandoned your intentions. Can you get back on?