Well, I think it is time to reflect on my goals for 2012, considering it is the last day of the year. I am sad to report I didn't do too well. From what I can remember I started out my year strong but with the stresses of graduating and starting college my goals got away from me. I will be making a new list for this upcoming year of 2013 but first I think it is good to see how I did. These were my goals and maybe to you I didn't change a thing, but this is how I think I did so please no judgement. New Year goals are personal and I think it is important that we not only set them but see how we did at the end of the year. Think back to what your goals for 2012 were, hopefully you achieved at least one of them. I hope you all have had a great year in 2012, I know I did, whether or not I changed from 2011 at all.
Here is what I set out to change
1. Pray at least 2x daily.
2. Stop biting my nails.
3. Improve my scripture study.
4. Stop caring what others think of my appearance.
Here is how I did
1. I'm still not perfect at this. But I have gotten a lot better. And I value my prayers a lot more. I have really made an effort lately to not say a "cookie cutter" prayer just for the sake to say I said one. I pray about stuff I find important. I have really come to learn that God answers my prayers. Especially while I have been off at school I have found saying a prayer to be one of the most calming things. I remember being told that if you master daily prayers while in college then you'll do it for life. It is hard sometimes to find a quiet place to pray since I have a roommate but I have managed.
2. Well, I did really good at this at first. Like really good! I had stopped! But then with the stresses of graduating and getting everything done with high school I think I started again. And I continue to now. And I find it disgusting and wish I didn't have this terrible habit. If anyone can give me tips I'd gladly use them. The tricks like painting that gross nail polish on similar methods really do not work for me. I find I just wait til the bad taste wears off and then bite my nails down short. I wish they were longer really I do. I just don't have the will power to stop.
3. This one I didn't start out strong. It's really hard for me to sit and read my scriptures everyday. I just don't put it at high enough priority. But since taking my Book of Mormon class at school I have learned so much. I have learned to love the book more. I have learned so many interesting facts. And I'm proud to say I actually read it (the first half). I could have easily just skimmed and skipped parts and just waited til the tests to read but I didn't. I read the assigned chapters every week. Sometimes it'd really suck on Sunday because I would leave all the chapters til then but I always got it done. And I didn't just skim, I read and really tried to understand what was being said. And then I'd go to class and it'd all come together. I loved my Book of Mormon class and my teacher. I learned so much and I hope next semester I learn even more.
4. Well I don't know how to judge this one. I like to be dressed and put together and have my hair and makeup done. It makes me feel better about myself. When I have, in my opinion, a cute outfit on I tend to have a better day. I like holding myself to a standard and not wear sweat pants around to class on a daily basis. I have slipped up of course, but I notice I feel a lot worse those days. Since I didn't get ready for the day I feel off and unhappy. I do notice that I get a lot of compliments from random strangers, but I have really tried to not let that affect me. I say a quick thank you then put it out of my mind. Or at least I try to. I don't want to dwell on what others like, I want to like what I like. I have learned what I like and dislike and try not to change myself just to please others. I know many people don't like the way I dress, but I do like it so I will continue on how I am.