31 December 2010

Refreshed (Aspirations for a New Year)

{This is the last day to enter the Words for Snow art contest! $50 to Robin Blogs... worth an entry, no?}

I'm not one of those obsessive-compulsive people who makes lists about everything. Actually, lists of things-to-do are my archenemy. Hatehatehate. But for a new year I decided to write down all my aspirations — hopes, dreams, wishes.

Not resolutions. I was going to do resolutions. I was going to force myself to do a 2011 Boot Camp for resolutions. They were going to be strict, they were going to be specific. I was going to post them at the same time as I put up this new look for a new year.

But my dear friend Hannah had an inspiring post that made me reconsider. I thought to myself, "why? Why should I make resolutions? They're constricting and I never end up following through because I'm the sort of person who hates schedule and order — I thrive on the unknown.

So I give to you, dear readers, a list of hopes. I give to you a list of goals, a list of dreams. Things that I know I will do because I don't need to do.

For the sake of not being too head-in-the clouds I've added a practical way to achieve the particular aspiration. Just to keep me sane.


Aspirations for 2011

This year...

I dream of being perfect in the mirror
but instead of crash-dieting
(which I would never do, by the way)
I will instead accept myself
for who I am
+ eat more fruits and veggies and not as much sugar.

I hope to be a better Christian
but instead of slaving over my Bible
and not enjoying it or getting any faith from it
I will go to church
and listen to the sermon with an open heart
+ get (finally) baptized and confirmed after all these years.

I dream of being a more successful model and actress
but instead of complaining
I will be thankful for what I have
+ email my agents and ask them for help.

I wish I sold more of my photography
but instead of hungrily checking the views in my Etsy shop
I will go outside and take more photographs
of beautiful things
+ start advertising locally.

I hope to be a more well-rounded cook
but instead of just making more cookies and cakes
I will help my mom with dinner
and make real food
+ read Joy of Cooking and try 10 new recipes.

I wish I had better skin
but instead of getting stressed about it
(which only makes it worse)
I'll be chill and not worry
+ take steps to help my skin stay clean.

I want to help people
but instead of looking and saying "I should help her"
to the girl who dropped her books
then walking away
I will go up to her, say hi, and pick up her books
and maybe we'll become friends
+ volunteer at a charity.

I dream of being a mass-published author
rather than 50 copies, I want to sell 50,000
but instead of moping around and daydreaming
I will faithfully write/edit/send off to agents
my very best work
+ do NaNoWriMo again.

I wish I was a neater person
but instead of thinking that
then going and making an even bigger mess
of my room
I will clean it up
+ finally organize everything in my bedroom.

I want to be on the computer less
but instead of blogging about it
(haha)
I will turn it off
and go outside
or do something productive
or exercise
+ I finally broke down and got a Twitter account
so I won't feel like I have to post so much
(though I'll limit myself on Twitter too).

I hope to be a better daughter and friend
but instead of holing myself up in my room
and not saying anything
and sleeping
I'll call a friend
or help my parents
or tell someone I love them
+ make it a habit to do one nice thing every day
for someone
in my life.

I dream of being a better person
but instead of wishing and dreaming
I will make it happen
+ bookmark this post
and read it if I'm flailing.


Happy New Year, everyone...
and as Benjamin Franklin said...
"let each new year find you a better man."
Or woman.

Welcome 2011...
I hope this year will be a good one.



22 comments:

  1. OMG!!! I'm in love with your new design!!!

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  2. LOVE this post, sweet friend! And I already commented about your look -- so perfect for OHF! I hope that 2011 brings you joy and that God would bless you abundantly, sweet friend. Loved your aspirations! :)

    Have a beautiful day, and a WONDERFULLY Happy New Year! Love ya! ♥
    --Hannah

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  3. I love that post!
    (The design is really good too)

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  4. This was a beautiful post! I should make some like that, too. I have a lot of things I feel I should work on.

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  5. A beautiful list of aspirations! Best wishes for the new year!

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  6. That's a great idea. I never follow through with resolutions. I tried it last year and never did it. I love your new look! It's beautiful! Makes me want to work on my blog look. :D

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  7. Oh my gosh the new look is just amazing, Olivia! & the post is wonderful, it reminds me that I should also be making goals and resolutions. Your blog is very inspiring, it makes me want to start posting at my blog again! Thank you! :)

    Happy New Years, Olivia- and to everyone who reads these beautiful posts. :)

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  8. Hey Olivia, how do you change the little icon next to the web address? I was just wondering because I saw that you had changed it to a camera.
    --Love MCat

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  9. Great post! Awesome aspirations. Hope you have a great 2011! Love, love, love your new design-gorgeous!! :)

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  10. Loved this post - I'm with you on eating more fruits and vegetables, taking better care of my skin, and being nicer in general.
    Oh, and I adore the new design...so pretty!

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  11. Great aspirations! I enjoyed reading them. You've inspired me to do the same and make some aspirations. Thanks, cause I can never follow my new years resolutions anyway. :)

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  12. I agree... Why make a list of stiff resolutions when you can just strive to be your best?

    Happy new year, dear. :) I hope it'll be a good one.

    xx

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  13. Happy New Year!
    Cool aspirations! :)

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  14. I have a question: how did you installed your gadget to receive updates by e-mail?

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  15. Happy New Year, dear friend!

    May God bless you and keep you and allow all of your dreams to come true!

    Have a beautiful 2011...

    Love Always,
    Your friend,
    Cassandra

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  16. Beautiful and inspiring post... and I am in love with your new design. : )

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  17. Awesome aspirations! I always try making goals/resolutions, but I always end up forgetting what they are within a week, and I never keep them. Haha. :)

    Peace,
    [Laurea]

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  18. Beautiful post, Olivia. Those are wonderful resolutions and I have no doubt that you will be able to fulfill what you want. I wish you the best of luck with your modeling/acting/writing/photography careers and pray that God will lead you in the right direction.

    Happy 2011!

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  19. This was a perfect post! I agree with many many of your 'aspirations.' As a matter of fact, I like to think of all my resolutions as aspirations. It's all about making it better, and always hoping and wishing. And then turning those hopes and wishes into something physical.

    And I love your new design!


    ~Liz B

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  20. That's a great list. :) Happy New Year!

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