Life check 1-2-1-2

It seems like only a few weeks ago I had just counted down to the start of a new year, filled with nothing short of countless opportunities. With this in mind, I began this blog and amongst my first entries was content related to my vision board. To be more direct I previously stated:

"In summation: I imagine I will become a first time home-buyer and take steps to further my career while spending my free time traveling, getting healthy, and enjoying new experiences.  I was inspired to complete a 2014 "bucket list" which lists the various places and activities I'd like to experience in the next 360 days."

So as the year of 2014 goes fleeting by, I noted only about 140 days are due before 2015 dawns upon us. So in the spirit of progress and forward movement I decided I should communicate a public update and creed to complete a handful more tasks before the years end.

The year is not over yet but I have definitely made some major moves. I had some hills in valleys regarding consistency of blog posts; but have been doing better and for the year have 18 posts. I plan to keep posting twice a month until 2015.

In my work category, I am now a forensic interviewer; meaning I now have a career, in fact I have attained my dream job. What a blessing to have done so before age 30!

Although I gave not become a home owner and I won't be one before 2015; I have moved into an apartment and have not lost the dream or long term goal of being a homeowner someday.

For health and fitness I have completed my first ever 5k and am training for another one before the year ends; this training includes waist training which should also help to get me bikini ready even if results arrive after beach season-LOL.

I have been even less consistent with positive affirmations and meditation; bottom line is it's hard and quite frankly I'd rather not. So as a solution I am currently researching local yoga studios to assist with this task.

Eating healthy is a lifestyle and much like any other habit such as biting your nails, I have been on and off the wagon; currently I am on and do well but I still have much room for improvement.  For the month I have committed to eating smoothies for breakfast and salads fur lunch with a balanced dinner at least Monday thru Friday.

My savings have fluctuated throughout the year with so much movement in my lifestyle and partaking in various experiences; for 2015 I'll be sure to select a predetermined amount to save such that I be better able to track my progress.

Travel has been great! I attended Essence and have planned an international trip for early fall  to London.  In addition, I hope to squeeze in a beach trip as well. 

These experiences were listed on my bucket list of activities for the year: gun range, fork and screen, Skydiving, Ferris Wheel, Andretti Go-Kart, etc. The list was over zealous and anything not completed in 2014 will simply roll over to the new year.

Whew! That was a lot. Now I recall how I high I set the bar and how far I've come in achieving task this year! For those of you who also created or developed vision boards or something of the sort, when is the last time you checked your progress?! For me it's nothing like physically checking an item of my to do list, I encourage you to do the same. For those that didn't make a board, just take the time to reflect on you accomplishments and forward movement over the year to date, give yourself credit because credit is due, then challenge yourself to do more. Like coach used to say- FINISH STRONG & GOOD LUCK :)

Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett

Today I read a book. It wasn't from Oprah's book club or the latest top seller's list; It wasn't even a book in a reading club or suggested by a friend, colleague, or confidant; it was a children's book. Plain and simple! it came complete with illustrations and short text as well.  

Extra Yarn is an extraordinary children's story that cannot be retold without the illustrations; so google it at minimum or stop by your local book store for the full effect. The story narrates a young girl who essentially yarns everyone she meets and her town. It's amazing that her yarn is never-ending. It's mystifying that this box filled with yarn found her specifically and she never tires or bores with it's simplistic activity. It's eye opening how she stunts the town and all it's people by adding color to there typical black and white; not just in how they dress- but how they live as well.

So why was I reading this book?! Welp, I was told this girl was much like me with her box of yarn.  More specifically that her yarn so easily resembled friendship, which is an art I selectively craft. With this idea- she cloaks her friendship upon others in her neighborhood, school, and community. Those who seek her are turned away- due to their ill intentions and overall being ill hearted. Even those who are skeptical or jealous are privy to her giving.

In the most simplistic sense- isn't it giving that leads to friendship. Not just the giving of material things but givings of oneself: time, advice, love, care, concern, and affection. It is these things that make friendship different from partnership; but how often is this forgotten?

 So I challenge you to reflect in yours friendships. Are you really being a friend? Or more like an associate- which is another word often used in the business world? I challenge you to be active in your friendship. True enough not all friendships require lots of time or activity-but they all do require care and attention. Are you neglecting your friends? Are you falsely claiming others as friend or they you when in reality the "-ship" you are in is so far from?

How interesting the label friend is used: in kindergarten friendship was earned because the girl next to me wanted to swing at recess. In high school friendship was earned because she kept my secret. In college, she was a friend because she didn't judge my actions while enduring growing pains. But now she earned it because________ (fill in the blank)..and go be a friend!