Happy New Year everyone! Three years ago, I started a tradition where I create 3 new goals/standards to live by instead of resolutions. I would rather create standards to uphold throughout the rest of my life than create a ‘resolution’ that would most likely not last the entire year. In review – My 2014 goals were:
Travel to a new country each year
Write a random postcard/letter once a month to a friend/loved one
Read at least one new book every 6 months
In 2014 I did travel to a new country – Belize! It was amazing – the people, the diving, the food. I can’t wait to venture back there. I did go overboard, in a good way, with writing post cards and letters to lots of friends and family members this year while living in Puerto Rico. Physically writing a letter or postcard is such a dying act unfortunately with the invention in the internet and emails…but thankfully I got so many return postcards and letters in the mail that made my day each time 🙂 In terms of reading a new book every 6 months…I managed to read one full book and that was about it. For Xmas this year I asked for the hardcopy of Amy Poehler’s book, Yes Please. I am excited to start reading that on the airplane home back to California in a couple of days 🙂 NOW it’s time for my 2015 goals:
1) Stay in touch more with family members – No family is perfect. This past year my family made that even more evident than ever before. With the backstabbing and lying occurring all around me, I want to focus on my family members that are open and caring, especially the young ones. After working with children of all ages this past year, I know how important it is to be a part of their life as they are quickly growing, learning, and changing. This goal means more visits, updates, and interactions with family.
2) Make more presents/gifts for people instead of buying new things – After utilizing Pinterest this year for my job, I’ve realized that it is so much more satisfying and thoughtful to make a one of a kind gift than an easy scapegoat gift like a gift card. I especially want to utilized recycled items in my presents for people – you’re helping save the planet and you aren’t spending a lot of money on something new – it’s a WIN-WIN don’t you think?! Use your creativity people 🙂 We learned how to make an angel fish with a palm frond at work a couple of days ago – pretty cool huh?
3) Go SCUBA diving every year – I’ve been certified since 2006 to explore the oceans underwater. Unfortunately, I haven’t gone SCUBA diving as much as I would like to have over the past 8 years. This year I did A LOT of diving! Since I moved to Puerto Rico in February of 2014, SCUBA diving was much more easily available whenever we had time off of work. I went on 3 different dive boat trips in Puerto Rico, and then I did some dives in Belize as well this past year. If you’ve never been SCUBA diving, I suggest to start putting some money aside in order to get certified. The earth is 75% water, so you essentially haven’t REALLY seen the planet until you’ve seen it under water 😉
Photography + Science = Chanel 
Chanel I am adding these 3 to my every expanding list of New Year resolutions, especially keeping in touch with family, and of course the scuba diving 🙂
Hey Scott! Awesome 🙂 glad to hear you are expanding your resolutions! Happy New Year!
Love the idea of writing letters or post cards. We have become such an “in-a-rush” society that we forget to even say a thank you for a present or act of kindness someone has done for us through a text or email, let alone a hand-penned letter. Recently I was unpacking a box and came across a pile of beautiful cards that I have been carrying around with me for years. This is the year that I am going to send them and perhaps inspire someone else to do the same. Letter writing is now a lost art.
Exactly – glad you agree 😀 I know I saved all the cards/letters people sent me here while I’ve been in Puerto Rico. Can’t wait to re-read them all in a couple of years. I am happy to hear that you are going to send more letters this year – I am sure you will put a smile on many people’s faces 🙂 Happy New Year!