Looking Forward

As I start the packing up process yet again to move back to school I am very excited to start the spring semester. This winter break has been one of healing and restoration, but more importantly it has been a time for me to remember who I am, where I came from but mostly whose I am. This past semester consisted of some circumstances that trapped me in a survival dance, which served to very effectively make me forget my priorities. But, I will be in such a different mindset during this drive to Murray than I was at this time almost 6 months ago. I have a better idea of what to expect, and I made some changes right before I left that should set me on a better path for next semester.

Flashback to moving day...nah.
 I'm a much better packer now!

And of course, just like anybody else I am looking to this fresh start as a perfect time to institute some changes in my life. I have goals for this year, which are mostly the same as my last year's "resolutions" therefore I hesitate to call them such. Most of the carry-over is lifestyle related, which is why I don't want them to be a single year "resolution," but a genuine effort to better my life in a way for which future me will be thankful. These include things like "get more exercise" and "eat better," which are terribly broad, and immeasurable. So this year, I am attempting to better qualify my broad goals:

-By finals week, I will run a 5k.
      This started as an bet of sorts with some girls on my floor, but it has always been a dream of mine

       to be able to just go run for a distance and actually enjoy it. I will train for this by "working out" at 

       least 3x a week, focusing on interval training so that I can work up cardio and gradually adding in

       some strength training after finding some sort of guide or expert with which to consult.
- I will eat better.
       I have no other way to better say this, but this essentially translates into 3 properly portioned 

       meals a day that each consist of at least 50% veggies and/ or fruit, as well as HEALTHY snacking 

       (low sugar, low cal, low processing). This basically means that I will have to be super creative 

       when it comes to dorm life. I have very limited options in the cafeteria, and basically no kitchen 

       access. But I have spent a great deal of my break learning about healthy microwave options as 

       well as making grocery lists and fridge-stocking plans which will be implemented as soon as I get 

       back to campus.
- I will grow deeper with Christ.
      This is of course the most important part of the lifestyle that I desire to live, and the part that I desire

      in the deepest part of my heart. You would think that the value of this aspect and the deep desire I

      have for it would make it easier, and you would be dead wrong. Everyday is a fight against 

      complacency and human-nature lethargy, and its a fight that I lost too many days last year. I do not 

      believe that spending time beating myself up for past shortcomings is the most productive way to 

      deal with them, so looking to the future, I will spend time in the word daily, making every effort to 

      remain in a study that will challenge me and keep me involved. I will remain active in a church, and I 

      will continue to make friends who will keep me accountable (with that being said, I will strengthen 

     my current friendships in the accountability aspect). This year especially, I want to explore different 

     aspects of worship. As a musician, my go-to form of worship is music, but I know that there are 

     many many other ways to give glory to the Lord and revel in His presence, and I am looking forward 

     to exploring them in more depth this year.

Specifically for this year, I want to take more opportunities to be creative outside of music, I want to improve as a musician and become more disciplined in my practicing, I want to be more intentional about growing the Godly friendships I have currently, as well as finding new ones.

But I want more than anything else to be open to His leading, and follow it, and I know that if I do that; I will end up on the craziest, most beautiful journey and that is what I'm created for.