Gearing Up For 2006 - Day Ten

So here we are. It's the last day and even though the first month of 2006 is almost at a close, I'm glad that we stuck with it. I have really enjoyed reading your responses and writing my own. They all put alot on my mind and for that I am grateful. No man is an island and I thank each of you for contributing to my growth as a human being. With that said, our final quesion:

What do I want my theme to be for 2006?

This was an easy one for me. I knew even before 2005 had come to an end what my theme for 2006 was going to be. 2006 is my breakthough and breakout year. God was doing some serious work on me in 2005, putting me in a position to do some very big things in 2006. So I am breaking through and breaking out .....

Gearing Up For 2006 - Day 9

Almost there, guys! It's day nine and it's going to be heartwarming to see some of the answers. Today's question:

For what I am grateful?

I am grateful for so many things: God's grace, family support, a challenging career, decent health, etc.

But the thing that I am most grateful for is my children. They are my motivating factor for everything that I do. I am head over heels in love with them and I appreciate them for the wonderful human beings that they are. Just looking at the world through their eyes has restored some of my childlike wonder and astonishment. Nothing is quite as special when they are not around. And I am so proud to be their mother.

Gearing up for 2006 - Day Eight

So we're rolling on to day eight - which just happens to be a national holiday for Martin Luther King's birthday. And today's question seemed kind of fitting. Why? Well, Martin Luther King, Jr. faced some seemingly insurmountable challenges and was able to successfully overcome most of them. So today, let's talk about:

What were my biggest challenges? How did I overcome them?

Publishing my book was one of my biggest challenges but I think I've beaten that horse into the ground. So, the next biggest challenge was my eating habits. I can resort to psycho babble and say that for most of my life, I have not had the best relationship with food. I don't think food has ever been my friend. In fact - though I hardly ever talk about it - I have had an eating disorder (of one variety or another) for the majority of my teen and adult years. That was a rough one. This past year has been about healing whatever pain my eating patterns have been a symptom of. I know it's about self image and self esteem but I still think it has to be something more than that. When I was raped in college, things went into over drive and I became dangerously unhealthy. I've gotten better, but am by no means cured. Though I am not in the throws of any eating disorder, I still don't view food as my friend. For the sake of my health and the values that I impart to my children, I want to change that. I took some major steps in 2005 to do that but still have a few to go.

Whew.

That was a tough one.

Gearing Up For 2006 - Day Seven

I'm back! Things got a little hectic in my world so I had to take a few days off but I wanted to start again today with our questions that are designed to put us in the right mindset for the new year. We are relating, reflecting and releasing!

What were the fun things I did? The not-so-fun?

Some of the fun things I did this year: a book signing in Bermuda, got a professional bra fitting (don't knock it 'til you try it), complete makeover, vacation with my husband in Jamaica.

Some of the not-so-fun things: I really can't think of any. You?

Gearing Up For 2006 - Day Six

So now we're at day 6. And this was one for the journal. I actually started thinking about it yesterday and still am a bit perplexed. I answered it but then the question seemed to beg for a response with a deeper meaning. So I scrapped the original answer and thought some more. Let's see how you do with this one.

What did I do right?


Well, well, well. I accomplished a lot this year and I think that ties into one of the biggest things I did right. I went after my dreams and made no apologies about it. I stepped outside of the box, challenged my self to take it up a notch, reinvented myself on several different levels, etc. etc. etc. For so long I have been scared, ashamed, apologetic about being successful. Don't ask my why or when it happened but it did. And even when I accomplished something, I didn't feel good about it. But last year that changed. So all I can say is, "Watch out for me in 2006". It's about to be on!

Gearing up for 2005 - Day Five

So we're halfway there and you guys are doing very well! A+ for your contributions.

What were the three most significant events of the last year?

I think most of us can agree: Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Rita and Hurricane Wilma came through and changed the way we see change America's response time to natural disasters. We also saw how such a tragedy will effect race relations in America. May be cliche but it also brought home how blessed my life is. I don't want have to lose everything to appreciate that. And in 2006, I will keep my focus on that.

Gearing Up For 2006 - Day Four

We're almost to the midway point of our reflection exercise. Thanks to all that participate. Today's question is a good one so here we go.

What did I complete or release?

Easier Said Than Done, my debut novel. I completed it, published it and even sold a few copies. (smile) As for things I released: a lot of negative feelings. I tend to harbor and one thing I really wanted to work on in 2005 was my ability to forgive and my victim mentality. AND I worked hard on it. Haven't gotten all the way there but it was important for me to release the anger that has been swirling inside of me for the man that raped me my sophomore year in college. Yes, it has been that long. I finally sat down and thought about all the side effects that manifested in my life because of that anger and I realized that I was continuing to victimize myself. I had to make a choice: let it go or be a victim for the rest of my life. I chose not to be a victim.