Stepping into Brand New

As the new year approaches, I can't help but look forward to the changes it will bring. 2012 will be a big year for me - graduating from college then moving on to God knows where. With all of these factors due to change around me, I am anxious to commit to change on the inside, as well. From health to money management to relationships, I am vowing to get all the way up out of my own way in the new year. A wise classmate by the name of Mickey Ivey once told me, "The only thing holding you back is you. Therefore, instead of placing blame on other people and factors - I'm turning the mirror on myself to get a real hard look. In 2012, it'll be mind over matter. Here's a few steps I've outlined to make realistic but completely transformative changes next year.

Baby Steps
It's definitely unrealistic to think that I will be completely brand new when I wake up on January 1 - I'm not Charlie Sheen. Which is why I'll be starting with baby steps - slight adjustments in my day-to-daylife that I can commit to and add to once they are mastered. For example, exercising twice-a-week for one hour. Eating out no more than three times a week (as opposed to seven). Praying and making my bed each morning (because in the words of a wise sage by the name of Moose: when your bed is made, your mind is made). By this time next year, these baby steps will have grown into adult leaps that involve working out up to five times a week, eating out once-a-week and maintaining my zen at all times despite outside stressors.

One Step at a Time
After a lot of thought and consideration, I have determined that my lack of attention and focus within the past year or so is due to constant distraction. I'm overloaded with unnecessary responsibilities at school, my television is always on and I'm staring at my Twitter timeline for the majority of my day. Who wouldn't find it hard to focus on what they need to do? While most of my peers may have adapted to the increased technological distraction that surrounds us today, I have had an extremely difficult time catching up. Instead of attributing my short and limited attention span to mental and physical changes (M.S.) - I'm convinced it has to be the constant inundation of technology, which I didn't have to deal with to this extent just a few years ago in middle or high school. Limiting my intake of these habitual distractors will help me to stay focused and accomplish what I need to do. For example, by writing this blog on a notepad before logging onto the Internet or turning on my television, I was able to finish it in 30 minutes. I've decided that there's nothing wrong with not being able to multi-task - I just need to understand that about myself and adjust accordingly.

Step Out of My Own Way
The only thing that's stopping me from being who and what I want to be is me - which is a beautiful but frustrating idea. If I tell myself I am too tired to get up in the morning, then guess what? I'm sleeping in (and probably missing class). If I tell myself I'd rather eat at Abuelos, Cheddars or Waffle House instead of eating in a salad in the cafeteria, then guess what? I'm eating out. If I tell myself I'm not focused enough to finish my book and to wait until the morning, then guess what? It's not getting finished. I guess the scope of that is what's scary and frustrating. It's the fact that the world could be at your finger tips ... you just have to untie your own wrists and reach for it.

Another wise man by the name of Kanye West once said, "We at war with terrorism, racism - but most of all, we at war with ourselves." Welp, I'm officially at war with myself and I'm suiting up - I just hope Jesus continues to walk with me.

*Glad I'm back? You can expect more frequent updates soon regarding my personal battle with health, relationships (lots of juice there) and finishing college/graduating to a new chapter. Stick with me! I'll need the encouragement.