10 things I want to do before the year is over

I was thinking last night as I lay awake in bed that there are some things I would like to change in my life. These things are habits I want to break, habits I need to start, the way I treat people, what I do with my money, what I do with my time, and so on.

Here they are:

1. Recycle, recycle, recycle.  I go to a school that promotes recycling like no other. In my ethics class 2 weeks ago we watched a film about garbage and landfills and to be honest it made me pretty sick. I don't want to be a wasteful human being. I want to be more like my Granny who reuses plastic containers and so many other things. 


2. Save money. After working my butt off waiting tables and getting hardly enough money to show for it, I have decided it is about darn time that I be saving money, even if it is a measly $5 a week. AND this money should be put away and never touched. I have a habit of treating my savings account like my checking account. 

3. Be a regular at thrift stores. I love thrifting. Why do I forget about it so often? Perhaps it's the flashiness of a new pair of jeans, a new pair of shoes, or a new stereo. I hate that I get wrapped up in the poison of consumerism. I want to enjoy the notion of owning something that has already been owned by another, like my parents for instance. They love antique shopping. I think that's so cool.


4. Create relationships wherever I go. This one is a life-long goal for sure, but I want to push myself to be one of those people who is making friends wherever I am. In other words, I want to be more like Michael Green. That kid knows everybody. Why can't I be like that? Well, I think I can. And I will.

5. Make time for people. After going to school for flipping forever, doing homework, working countless jobs, doing duty after duty after duty, I have learned that the most important and most fruitful way to spend my time is with people. Not only do I have more fun and less stress, but I learn so much more about myself in the process.


6. Learn how to sew. I got a sewing machine for Christmas. I need to make time to do this. I know it will add greatly to my happiness knowing this skill and greatly to my wardrobe. 

7. Continue learning how to play guitar. After leaving Dfocus, I no longer have Kyle Bomar to hold me accountable and watch me play and teach me new stuff. First, I need to find a teacher who is Bomar-esque. Second, I need to practice, practice, practice, practice. I can make time. I've been making time all along. 


8. Read and enjoy history. I always hated history as a kid, but something my forensics professor said the other day made me realize I may actually like history. He said, "I had those horrible teachers that made you remember dates and names and not the stories themselves." I think that has been my experience. I want to know if I can enjoy learning about the past. 

9. Grow a garden. I don't know where. I don't know how. But I want a garden. I want to grow tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, green peppers, lettuce, blackberries, watermelon, sunflowers, etc. Basically, I just want a huge garden that I can escape to and work on and reap the fruits of my labor...literally.


10. Give myself a full day of rest every week. Steve Stroud has convinced me that it was not just a suggestion God made about taking a day of rest, but an essential command. Even the God of the universe took a day of rest on the seventh day after creating the world. Even if it's not the same day every week (although preferably it will be), there is just something about kicking back for an entire day that rejuvenates not only my body but my mind and my soul as well. It's a must. 

These are my desires. This is my prayer. I think my life would be fuller of God and of happiness and of peace with some if not all of these changes. 

Be blessed today. And don't forget to be a blessing.