• 10 ways I will try to lose weight.
•  10 books to read.
• 10 things to clean in my house.
• 10 Ways I want to serve others.

A few months ago I found some old journals – where I keep these lists.  Funny, how the same items seem to move forward from year to year – play with the kids more, complain less, lose weight; get out of debt!  

While I may continue to fall short in so many ways; I will continue to make these lists because goals are good!  My 10 Lists of 10 Resolutions has become a wonderful yearly examination of my life – where I am and where I hope to go.

While no longer a student, there is still something in my core that anticipates the promise of a new [academic] year.  The Autumn Reset.  The gift the Lord gives that nothing stays the same – while in some instances that can make us lament such as when we watch our children grow; but in other ways the ever changing days of our lives are a blessing.  The hope that poverty (in whatever form that is presently taking in our life) will not last forever; illness or injury will someday heal; and bitterness will find itself immersed in mercy and forgiveness.

• Weight Watchers Journey – anyone who has ever had to battle their weight knows the ups and downs; and not just on the scale.  Food needs to be just food. Since I did not learn to misuse it over night; it will take me time to view it in a healthy manner.  The victories are still unfolding.  UPDATE:  I failed, again. Yet, with every failure comes a lesson. The lesson here was finally determining AD/HD and TRACKING are incompatible.  I am presently working on the practice of Intermittent Fasting (more on that tomorrow).
• Spiritual  Journey – this might come as a shock but praying and focusing on the voice of the Holy Spirit in my life does not come easy for me.   A chatterbox by nature – even in my own head; I need to fight for time to be quiet.  This will require taking a critical eye to my daily agenda to assure I carve out time for appointments with Jesus – and more importantly that I KEEP THEM. Bl. James Alberione (founder of the Pauline family) taught his young seminarians this invaluable lesson about God – when YOU GIVE him the first fruits of your time; he will multiple it back to you!  UPDATE:  Blessed. That is the best word to describe my current Spiritual Life.  Being consistent with weekly Adoration, bi-weekly Confession, and trying to add at least one extra Mass a week has definitely produced a newfound peace and hope within my heart. Renewing my Marian Consecration, becoming more involved with WINE, and giving more energy to serving the Spiritual needs of my Parish family have also played a significant role in the success of this Autumn Reset!!
• Professional Journey – here is where setting goals is crucial for me.  Ideas flow like honey from my brain. I have lots and lots of them, however, follow through has always been my nemesis. Fear and doubt crowd out my enthusiasm; those voices – close relations to the ones speaking smack about food – often talk me out of attempting to bring fruition the many projects circulating in my heart. As the Casting Crowns remind me, “I will choose to listen to and believe the Voice of Truth“.   UPDATE:  While I definitely accomplished many of my Ministry goals – there are still many left to be tackled.  Sad to see A Seeking Heart with Allison Gingras close its 2+ year run, I am excited about new opportunities that lay ahead.  It is time for the 2017 Autumn Reset – and I’m totally on it!!