Goals and Bucket Lists

I have always been a believer in goals.  Not only do I believe in setting goals - I also believe in writing them down.

First of all - a goal is nothing more than a roadmap - a roadmap of your life.  Now before you "pooh" at my simplistic explanation - let me ask you something.  If you were plannig a roadtrip - would you leave your house without directions?  Would you engage upon a 10 hour journey without knowing the exact route to get to your destination?  Well - in my mind a goal is simply a roadmap to a destination in my life.

Now to address the writing down of my goals.  Once I commit to paper (or a blog) I am committed to achieving my goal.  Afterall - not only am I accountable to work toward that goal but YOU are going to keep me honest too...correct faithful readers?

So - what is the difference between a goal and a bucket list?   Well - not much in my mind.  I consider a goal something that I want to achieve in my life and a bucket list is something that I want to do in my life.

Right now my bucket list is short and sweet...maybe even a tad bit difficult:

1)  Travel to see the Northern Lights

2)  Travel to Scotland and Ireland

3)  Learn how to use my new Canon Rebel SLR Camera that I just bought.  I want to be able to capture all the inspirational sites along my journey.

4)  Write - truly write an inspirational and effective blog.  One that people can not wait to read each and every day (which or course means that I HAVE to write everyday too).  I want to be a great blogger but I have to first find my niche in the blogging world.  Should I write an inspirational blog?  Should I write about my day to day life?  Nah - not that interesting - really - believe me!  AHHH - decisions...decisions...decisions...

Well - all I can say is that I will figure this one out - do not fear dear readers. 

BY THE WAY - this frustrated writer is open to all thoughts/opinions and even constructive criticism.

In ending - I bet you want to know how many items I can check off my bucket list so far this year...well only two.  With that in mind - these were two really BIG ones!

I finally made it to Whistler in British Columbia and also to Europe.  Check and check....

How about you?  What is on your bucket list?  How many can you check off this year?

Monday Musings- Can you make money from blogging?

I was going to blog today about a totally different topic however I have changed my mind and will save the blog on my personal journey for another day.

With our economy up and down like a rollercoaster I know that people feel like they are on a merry-go-round.  I know that I do.

I think that it is important for everyone who depends on their income to have a plan b...a plan c...and actually as many as they need in order to replace their paycheck if necessary.

I am just amazed that so many people in the blog world actually make a sizeable income from their blogs.  I have decided to bite the bullet and see if I can also discover how people do it.  I read this weekend about someone who makes 5K a month from their blog...PEOPLE...that is $5000 a month from blogging on a particular subject or even several subjects.

Starting today - I am going to focused on how people can if not replace their income in case of a job loss at least subsized their income if they are under-employed.

Stay tuned as I explore how you too can make money from your blog!

Sunday Thoughts

Life is an adventure

It is not the destination that we reach that is most rewarding...

It's the journey along the way.

Where has your journey taken you?

In the upcoming days - I will be sharing some of my journey...some of my memories...all of which have made me the person that I am today.

Until then - goodnight all and may all your dreams be fulfilled...

Are you a morning person or a night person?

I have always considered myself a night person because let's face it - I love to sleep in!

As of late however - I have been awakening earlier and earlier and the one thing that I have learned to appreciate is the beauty of the early morning.  There is just something so very special about the glorious colors - the reds, oranges, purples and palest blues of the morning sky.  It is simply a reminder that with each new morning there is an opportunity for us to have a chance to have a better day than te one before.

Do you ever see a breathtaking moment in the early morning hours or even in the evening hours when the sun is setting?

Do you ever just stop and admire the beauty of the earth?

I find myself reaching for my cell phone so I can snap a picture when I see that burst of morning color. 

This picture was taken early one morning as I was traveling.  Can you believe that this was taken by a cell phone?

So - the question is - are you a morning person or a night person?  What is it about the beauty of your surroundings that inspires you and makes you stop and be thankful?

Can you believe it?  It is September already!

I am soooo glad that August is over...it was hot...hot...hot!  I have to think that the extreme heat was the cause of so many crazy actions of people around here.

AND - it was almost too hot to do anything outside.

I love the hint of fall in the air - the temperatures will be changing soon (I hope!) and before you know it we will be surrounded with the fragrance of logs burning in the fireplaces and a nip of coolness when walking outside first thing in the morning.

Now - while I live in an area where we really do not see fall colors - I can imagine what it is like...Once you experience the glorious yellows and reds of fall foliage - it will always be a memory to file away and bring out on those cool morning.

Good-bye summer and hello fall!

Random Thoughts

People come into your life
for a reason, a season or a lifetime

When you figure out which one it is,
you will know what to do for each person.

 

When someone is in your life for a REASON. . .
It is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty,
to provide you with guidance and support,
to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend, and they are!
They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part,
or at an inconvenient time, this person will say
or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die.

Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met,
our desire fulfilled, their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered.
And now it is time to move on.

 

Then people come into your life for a SEASON….
Because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons
: things you must build upon in order to have
a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person,
and put what you have learned to use in all
other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Unknown Author

Catching Up

~WOW~  It has been forever since I last blogged.  SHAME on me!

BUT - I have been busy and have so much to talk about.  I will just touch upon a few topics and follow-up with more at a later date.

First - I traveled to London on business - it was such a short trip - left on Tuesday night - arrived on Wednesday and flew home on Saturday.  WHEW - talk about jet lag.  More info to follow!

Secondly - a tornado hit Tuscaloosa, AL  I was terrified since Chris goes to school there at Bama.  It was almost 90 minutes before I received confirmation from him that he was safe.  Those were the longest 90 minutes of my life.  Now with that said - a calming voice (thank you God) was speaking to me and letting me know that everything was okay with him.  A couple of weeks after the tornado and my return from London - I drove to Tuscaloosa to see first hand that Chris was okay.  I was totally shocked at the amount of destruction but I am so thankful that Chris, his roommates and all our family were okay.

Last but not least - the company that I work for announced that they would be having lay-offs in the U.S.  What does this mean for me?  Not sure yet but I have to believe!