2012.

it's time for a post about intentions. some people call them resolutions. i prefer intentions. less pressure, ya know?

so. 2012. the final year on the mayan calendar. i'm pretty convinced the mayans just thought it would be funny to mess with our heads.
yes. i'm going on record saying i don't think the world is going to end this year.
and no - marty mcfly did not influence this decision.


onward...

h.stew's intentions for 2012:

1) mindfulness.
yes. this is sort of vague.
(the easier to stick with, my dear...)
but it's important. for the past several months i've found myself getting crazybiggiantballofstressed over silly things like work and dirty dishes.
i plan to concentrate on taking deep breaths and reminding myself that the world isn't going to end if the bathroom is dirty or if a student thinks i'm the wicked witch of the west.

2) running.
running makes me happy. sometimes i forget this and read in bed instead of going for a run.
(other times the windchill is -10 and i just plain wuss out.)
the bro, future s-i-l, and i have a plan to do 12 races in 2012 - so i really need to keep my mileage up.

3) career.
i don't like my job. i don't hate it (ok, some days i hate it), but it's definitely not a career.
i think i've finally figured out my career path. it will involve a couple more years of education. in the next few weeks i'll be conducting a feasibility study. if the results are positive, i'll divulge some more details.

4) food.
compared to most americans, i'm already pretty thoughtful about my food choices. i at least consider things like eating locally and sustainably (even if i don't always buy local/sustainable/organic) - but i want to make this more of a priority. if i want to continue to live a healthy, productive life i need to pay closer attention to what i'm putting in my body.

5) use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.
(see also: anticonsumerism)
...a depression-era mantra that i wish never would have fallen out of the collective consciousness.
as conscientious as i try to be, i will admit that i occasionally buy a new outfit to cheer myself up after a crummy day (just one new skirt won't hurt anyone...) and throw out the nearly-gone tube of cinnamon toothpaste because i'm really excited about the new mint toothpaste (and it goes better with my mint mouthwash). but it makes me feel so good when i do things like making cloth napkins out of repurposed fabric (bought at a thrift store) and giving them as christmas gifts.
i am saving the earth in so many ways!

yep. a total of 5 intentions. for anyone who knows me, this shouldn't come as a big surprise. and actually - speaking of those of you who know me - i'd appreciate it if you'd keep me on track. remind me if you see me doing something that goes against my intentions. also, let me know if you catch me doing something that you see on this list.
positive reinforcement, right?