New Year's Resolutions

Today, in Relief Society Sister Hatch gave a lesson on setting goals.  She talked about time management, prioritizing, and avoiding procrastination.  I needed that lesson!  I needed to be reminded of the importance of thinking about my goals for the future and writing them down so I can start making them happen.  I feel like I have more time than I ever have had, but I don't utilize it well. I think of how much I accomplished when I was a young mother, with seven children at home!  I wonder how I did it all.  And then I go back in my remote memory and remember how exhausted I was most nights as I fell into bed.  (But mostly in a good way)  And how much more I wished I could have done, but didn't.  Or how much I sometimes yearned for some unnterrupted quiet time to just ponder and think.  I have more of that kind of time now.  But sometimes a wide open afternoon or evening invites not only pondering and thinking but also time wasting.  It's like I'm lost without more structure to my day.  So, I'm going to change that.  I'm going to set aside time for not only the pondering and thinking and scripture reading and prayer, but also the home organzing, letter writing, cleaning, lesson preparation, and healthy meal preparation.  I've already set goals in the physical activity area of my life.  I'm training for a marathon!  Which sometimes takes over my brain (and body!) entirely and makes me a pretty unbalanced person.  So, my challenge will be to find the balance on most days.  I know my long run days will be mostly taken up with running, recovering, stretching, and napping.  But that isn't very many days.  The other days I will set aside time for each aspect of my life.  I will call someone just to cheer them up.  I will keep a cleaner, more organized home.  I will continue reading the scriptures, praying, studying, and pondering.  I will fulfill my church callings.  I will read an educational, interesting book. Balance.  I can do it!