September 02, 2011

Turning over a new leaf...

So, I don't know if this blog even shows up anywhere anymore... I have left this space formant for some time now.  However, I do not want the to be the case any longer.

Much has happened in my life in the last couple of years, especially in the last few months.  Those details will slowly be shared, as I do not wish this to be all about me and share novel's worth of background that I expect few would wish to wake through.  Instead this is what I wish to do:  I want to share my goals and hopes and a couple days a week write about the progress.

So, goals!  For me, I do well with goals that I am often reminded of.  The problems is that I don't so often remind myself of goals or set them.  So, here's to turning over a new leaf.  As the leaves of summer will soon change color and fall to the ground, so I too do not wish to remain the same person I am today.  I was reading recently about change in people's lives.  The author of the piece made the argument that to think that we won't change is crazy.  Every day you are presented with the opportunity to change.  The question is, how is it that you want to change?  Who is it that you are becoming?  Are you headed towards what is good and right, or away from that?

I think by setting good & honest goals for myself it will help me to move towards where I want to be.

So, goals... here they are (delineated for you logical people):

  • Running:  
    • To be ready to enter a race in the next 2.5 months (Mid-November).
      • I need to have the strength that will prevent preventable injuries
      • Whatever the race, I do not expect that I will race in top form, but that I'll be able to complete one.
  • Relationships:
    • I wish to become everyday more and more the man of God that can care for and love a family.
      • I will read my bible, connect with friends & family, and grow in community.
      • I will connect with my neighbors.  (Something I have not done in the last couple years)
      • I will put myself into situations where I can meet new people (in hopes of starting a relationship with a woman of God).
  • Life:
    • I have a desire to move to Colorado.
      • I will save my $ for moving costs and and deposits that need to be made.
      • I will apply for a CO state teaching license.
  • Education:
    • I am interested in Counseling as a profession: in schools and outright.
      • I will talk with peers, mentors, co-workers, and others about their thoughts and concerns about this.
      • I will investigate schools to go to, talk with admissions counselors to determine the lengths of their respective programs, the costs, and my availability to work on the side.
      • I will job-shadow at my current workplace (Aloha High School) to determine whether school counseling is something I want to do or not.
    • I will talk honestly and openly with the graduate department at the U. of Portland to determine if they will allow me to complete my nearly finished MA in Ed.
      • I will not expect anything from them.

I realize that for most of these I haven't set time-goals and that it's important to have goals that are measurable and attainable... so really these goals are still subject to change.  Like someone said at a church a couple weeks ago, we write our plans in pencil so they can be changed by us or God later... Making it so we don't hold so tight to a hope or expectation that the loss of it causes us great misery... and that we are humble enough to say that we don't know all that God does or what is best for us.

Let me know what you think.  Are there changes that you'd suggest?  What do you like or dislike?  What might you add or take away?  Your input is valuable to me.  Thank you for taking the time to read this!