Hello 2012

A new year has arrived. Does it give you a fresh feeling? Does it make you want to kick bad habits to the curb and become a better version of yourself?

I don't like to say that I'm making "resolutions" because we all know that resolutions are made to be broken. In fact, so often people start off the new year with a list of unattainable resolutions and when they stumble, they give up completely and resolve to try harder NEXT year. So instead of saying "resolution", I will call mine "challenges". You see, in my mind, even if I stumble within a challenge, I can get up and keep trying or jump back on the horse. Not all is lost. Challenges are meant to have stumbling blocks... That's why it's challenging.

So here we have it. My 3 Challenges for 2012. Mind, Body and Soul.

Mind:
Last year my challenge was to tea 35 books and I exceeded it by reading 36. So for 2012, I challenge myself to read 40 books. Reading keeps my mind from turning to mush after watching too many Yo Gabba Gabba episodes and singing ABC's four hundred times a day.

Body:
Since writing my ever famous post, Scary Skinny, I have done my best packing on some major pounds. Since moving to Miami in August, I've gained 20 pounds! It wasn't hard really, being around home cooking, comfort foods and having invitations to eat out regularly will do that to you. Add on to that the fact that I live with my MIL who bakes cakes and buys my favorite junk foods and it's a recipe for disaster. While I desperately needed to gain those 20 lbs... Taking me from 100 lbs to 120, its time to slow down and stop. My challenge for 2012 is to maintain my current weight and practice a little self control.

Soul:
In October I joined a Bible study called BSF (Bible Study Fellowship). Every week we get a homework packet with daily reading assignments and questions. It's actually really challenging and for the first time ever, I feel like I'm REALLY studying the Word. My challenge for 2012 is that I stay consistent in my homework and that I am in the Word daily in order to develop a stronger relationship with the Lord so that I may hear Him more clearly. This challenge has the power o affect my entire life... Not just for bettering myself, but also for strengthening my marriage and giving me wisdom to raise my sons.

Aside from those 3, I have one more that I need YOUR help to attain... I'd be thrilled if I doubled my blog followers by the end of 2012. If you read here often, please become a public follower and rock my world! Hehe.

Here's to a happy and healthy 2012! Blessings and abundance to you all!