If you’re anything like me, at this point in the year, your inbox is inundated with information about New Years Resolutions.
How they don’t work, or don’t. Eight steps to make them work, or a plan to keep you on track.
Which is all great, and yet, I’ve never been one to make resolutions.
It’s not that I don’t like them – I LOVE goals, but I’ve found that resolutions don’t inspire me.
For years, I’ve set challenges for myself.
I’ve had years where I chose one focus (that tends to bore me…but good learning!), and years where I chose as many challenges as candles on my cake (had to stop that at 30…).
Last year, I decided to share this practice with others and created the MoveMeant Challenge.
MoveMeant, for the body and mind, the entire year through.
Move-Meant = movement with intention.
This year, my movemeant consists of four challenges, and the underlying theme: Nurture.
My 2016 MoveMeant Challenges:
Make Yoga a Practice (at least twice a week). For years I’ve wanted to practice yoga. To do it as more than occasional class. This is the year I make that happen. I still intend to see how I can push my body, and perhaps drop my race times, but I’ll recover more mindfully on the mat, nurturing my body and my mind all at the same time.
Hamstrings! ~ Did I mention that I like to run? A LOT in fact, and my ham strings are tight. My intention is to learn about them, and hopefully loosen them up with that yoga practice and some stability work. Nurturing my body, and perhaps unlocking some mobility.
Read 12 Actual Books ~ an email I received listed a challenge of reading 52 books this year….that my friends, is insane (for me). I love to read. LOVE IT. But my book reading has diminished since having kids. The past 5 years I might have averaged 3-4 books a year. I listen to books on cd all of the time, but I don’t count those (don’t ask). So the goal: nurture my mind with one book a month. *Leave your recommendations in the comments below.
Commute with Kindness. Ahhh….Driving in Seattle – which just implies traffic. And crazy “nice” Seattle drivers (stop for EVERY pedestrian, can’t figure out a four way stop, etc). Just thinking about it creates tension in my body. I consider myself a nice person. Compassionate even, but I get in a car and I lose it, with my kids in the back telling me, “mama, you shouldn’t have said that”. Yes, yes I know. And so this year: nurturing my soul (and those around me) with a kind commute. Go ahead and cut me off. I’m going to send you nothing but love.
If you’re inclined, I’d love for you to join me in the challenge.
I will occasionally be sharing my journey on this blog, and welcome your comments as we move through this year.
How will you move through 2016?
