Well.
February was a bit of a hott mess.
Basically because I was a bit of a hott mess.
But there were good parts, too!
Read on for an assortment of experiences:
[faithful]
DEFINITION: to be in constant relationship with Christ; to live a life which bears evidence of that relationship
2012 GOAL: complete Project 345, keep a one verse/one gratitude daily journal, memorize Galatians 5
PROGRESS: Small tweak to this goal. I’m still loving Project 345 and chronicling life in verses and gratitudes, but I’m currently working on memorizing A Psalm for Life instead of Galatians 5 because it’s so many things that I need to remember on a daily basis.
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[relational]
DEFINITION: to love the friends and family who make my life so rich; to make people a priority
2012 GOAL: make one meaningful connection per week with a friend or family member
PROGRESS: I’m living up to this goal and then some! Who would have guessed that?! So it needs to change, I just don’t know how yet.
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[hungry]
DEFINITION: to eat thoughtfully prepared (or purchased) food enthusiastically; to expand my culinary skills beyond brownies
2012 GOAL: make one new dinner recipe (from the millions of magazines or billions of blogs I subscribe to) per week
PROGRESS: This month’s dinners were a good deal less thrilling than last month’s. I think my favorite was last week’s quick chicken parm. (Thanks, Mom!)
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[athletic]
DEFINITION: to make the most of the healthy body I’ve been given; to run a lot of miles, do a lot of yoga, lift something heavy every now and again, and make every effort to be active as opposed to inactive
2012 GOAL: run 1000 miles
PROGRESS: Oh boy. Did this goal ever crash and burn in February. A hearty dose of IT Band issues for the first half of February punctuated by a hearty dose of laziness for the second half of February resulted in less than 25 miles run in the ENTIRE month of February. Awful. I’m deciding whether I want to keep this goal and run my legs off for the rest of the year or change it to something less run-centric/more strength and conditioning oriented. It’s neck and neck at this point.
//
[creative]
DEFINITION: to use the gifts I’ve been given to see the world in a unique way; to appreciate beauty everywhere
2012 GOAL: take one new (legit) picture per week
PROGRESS: Dear Photography, I’m so glad we’re friends again. I’ve missed you. And I’m so grateful to have captured this authentic moment, my favorite of the month.
//
[compassionate]
DEFINITION: to love people, especially those who need love most
2012 GOAL: volunteer one day per month
PROGRESS: I had my first day of training for the Better Day Buddies program at Strong last Monday, and it was incredible. Definitely one of February’s highlights – expect an actual post on this coming soon!
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[intelligent]
DEFINITION: to use my brain
2012 GOAL: read one book per month
PROGRESS: Way behind on this one. I’m only about halfway though Wooden: a Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court. But honestly, this is a read that needs to be savored. SO much wisdom in such a small book!
[in rochester]
DEFINITION: to make the most of the city I live in by exploring new places and frequenting well-loved ones
2012 GOAL: visit one new place in Rochester per month
PROGRESS: Um, yeah. I don’t think this happened. Which means March will receive two new locations!
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[out of rochester]
DEFINITION: to scratch the travel itch, expand my perspective, and regularly recharge by getting away
2012 GOAL: travel outside of the greater Rochester area and, if at all possible, the state of New York, once per season
PROGRESS: But this did happen!!! Thank you, Pennsylvania, for being so wonderful.
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[real]
DEFINITION: to enjoy life, warts and all
2012 GOAL: not to get so caught up in goals and plans that I forget to enjoy laughable life moments, football and snow, coffee and chocolate, Gilmore Girls and magazines, candles and Pinterest, stumbles, falls, and a boatload of other things that make life so much fun
PROGRESS: I think this day was my most successful real moment this month. And we all know that I had my fair share of bonding with the Gilmores, as well.
//
favorite post: Without a doubt, the Valentine’s Day whoopie pie post.
favorite good thing: Carmelitas. Of course.
favorite pin:
favorite verse: “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 (NIV)
BUT…despite some initial complacency, February did end on a redeeming note. I’m looking forward to maintaining these goals while also diving with gusto into a new goal!
Farewell, February. I’ll try to be even nicer to you next time around.
(And March, just so we’re clear, I’ve got my game face on.)
*Also – the blog got a little spring makeover, so if you’d like to see some bright new colors and you’re following by email or in a Reader, hop on over to the main site!
**Also also – how was YOUR February?! And what are your plans for March?

















