2013 Plans for My Hair, Body, and Soul || Part III

Now it's time to share my "Soul Plans" for the New Year ...

2013 SOUL PLANS:

Practice daily gratitude.  Years ago, I did a daily gratitude journal and then fell off of it for a few years.  Recently, I went back to gratitude journaling and plan to stick with it throughout 2013.  The biggest benefit of writing down the things you are grateful for each day is that you learn to be thankful for what you have in life.  You also change your perspective to a more positive and open the door to more good things or blessings.  I think this quote (from the "Simple Abundance" journal) says it best: 

"[Gratitude] turns what we have into enough, and more.  It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.  It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.  Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today; and creates a vision for tomorrow." ~ MELODY BEATTIE

Remove negativity at first sight.  I have a tendency to see the good in everything and stick around even when it becomes detrimental to my soul.  However, I've been practicing running at the first sight of negativity in order to protect my soul.  This is not a black-and-white decision but requires discernment and wisdom.  This year I will heed my discernment and increase my wisdom.

Leave the past behind.  As an over-thinker it is easy for me to analyze a situation to death.  However, now when I start to think about something that cannot be changed, I cast it down immediately before it turns into dwelling.

Enjoy the present, or carpe diem ("seize the day").  Tomorrow is not promised, but today ... there is much we can do about today.  I plan to spend as much time with family as possible and to enjoy each day a little more.  I want to travel as soon as I can this year rather than put it off until the "perfect" time.

Beautify the outside to elevate the inside.  When it comes to my outer appearance, I tend to be ... hmm ... lazy unless I'm going to an event.  I am not a makeup and high heels person.  I could care less if my twists are super frizzy.  However, I honestly believe that because I couldn't give two #$%^ what I look like on my way to the lab or to school, it impacts how I feel on the inside - sluggish and "meh".  This year, I want to put a little more effort in my outer appearance.  Maybe daily mascara and eyeliner and replacing the routine gray hoodie for one of my nice sweaters.  Self-manicures have already made a re-appearance.

And this wraps up my plans for the New Year.  I hope you all are enjoying 2013 so far!

My "Hair Plans."

My "Body Plans."