My Web of Goals!

So like I've said previously.. Sometimes outer influences can put a damper on or put a cloud over personal growth.  Letting in the wrong types of vibes or influences may make it harder to accomplish the things you set out to do. This is a lesson I have definitely learned in my life especially right now. Think about it though.. If outer factors can influence you in a negative way there has to be a yang to this yin, right? There is! We just need to learn to not let the dark cloud put a shadow over our path when there is a perfectly good ray of sunshine gleaming through about a block away. :] This morning I went bike riding with my roommate's mother. Riding was not only great exercise but it was also a good life lesson. While making our way up the inclines our body is put through many challanges. Stretching of muscles (you forgot you had) and sometimes exhausting amounts of activity your body goes through just to hit a plateau.. That plateau stablizes you for only a short time then here comes another incline.. Once we get to the top of all our inclines its only downhill from there. Coasting home. You're able to enjoy the breeze and the scenery. Just like she said  "this makes it all worth it."   I may not be exactly where I want to be in life but I shouldn't let that stop me from seeing that this time is just a step to get to my goal. In all honesty I wouldn't have it any other way. After all this I'll be able to enjoy my adventure, discoveries, and fruits of my labor so much more. So back to my path!


Here's my Web of Goals that sprouted from my plans! :]

Health! :]
-Eating healthier
-Exercise Routine
-Skincare Routine
-Eating more organic and raw foods
-Vitamins

Carefree!
-pay off Scion
-pay off Sunfire
-build a legtimate savings
-strictly follow my financial planning
-build credit
-pay off medical bills

Art!
-Draw and paint more
-try/discover new medias and techniques
-explore and research new/other artists
-find/join local art community
-build website
-build an inventory of accessories and clothing

Music!
-buy a keyboard
-replace acoustic guitar
-step up lessons to relearn and hold accountability
-build practice routine
-challenge myself in song writing
-gather up courage to sing in front of others

Success! <3
-finish school
-internship
-successfully run and develop an accessory/clothing line
-get THEE job
-buy a house in Seattle. :]


There you go! That's my web! I'll post later this evening or tomorrow on my accomplishments and my struggles with each.

The Breaking Point.

Living in the land of materialism and "sin" doesn't necessarily help on the path of rediscovery. Everywhere I turn I see people only going the instant gratification route.. Since I've moved I've felt financially pressured, tempted by immorality, and pressured in general into things I don't necessarily want to over indulge in. If you know me thoroughly you may understand that pressure of any sort almost always leads to high anxiety. High anxiety leads to depression. Which is something for the last four years I've gained more control over by maintaining a healthy diet and exercise, spirituality, meditation, being cautious of those I bring into my life, and upholding some consistency in my life.. That control has been particularly hard to hold on to since I've moved to Vegas. My trip to Seattle reopened my eyes to how minimalism is the way I feel the most comfortable living. Not the high roller lifestyle. Lights, clubs, brand new cars, expensive dinners, and label shoes and purses. Don't get me wrong thoughts of those things have crossed my mind from time to time.. But it's not something I see myself being truly happy in or striving for. The things I value more than anything in my life are companionship/friendship, nature, staying true to myself, and creativity. You notice fancy shoes and money doesn't really seem to fit in my life's agenda... ;) All I want to do more than ever is donate most of my things, work in a place creativity is what I'm selling or giving away, to sell my car, live well within my means, ride or walk to work, and fill my life full to brim with people passionate about the same things I am. That is what Seattle does to me. Makes me grateful for what I have, ashamed of what I over consumed in, and makes me want to live in a way that makes me feel comfortable and knowing that I won't be ashamed of myself for taking more than I actually need.

From this moment on I will not compromise anything that I hold true. I can't be anything but myself. Why try?

One of my favorite chilhood books, The Outsiders, has a great line.. "Stay true, Ponyboy." Stay true, Andrea! Stay true! :3 

I'm currently blogging from the plane home to Nevada. Once I get home and settled tomorrow I will post my progress and struggles with my goals and plans. I'm excited to see what I can improve, what I have improved, and what plan tactics need to be reworked!

Ready. Set. EXPLORE!

It's been awhile, huh? My new job has definitely gotten me craving personal routine!
The weirdest thing though is that I'm also searching for change still.
New place. Same things. It seems.
The glimpse into the thoughts of a retail future...
Is scary.
I can't wait until school starts! Until then I need to make sure I'm working towards bettering myself and not postponing it. Even though school has until January. Financial road bump but not to be discourage. This just gives me time to build upon myself to make sure I'm a 110% before my life is consumed by work and school! :)
Even though I haven't posted in awhile doesn't mean I haven't been planning. ;) I've been tweaking my Plans and I condensed them to what fits my wants/needs.
(To be..)
-Carefree
-Successful
-Healthy
(To build upon these things in my life...)
-Art
-Music
-Spirituality
They're a bit different from the previous Plans I posted. Less stress was changed to Carefree and I removed Happiness and Self Worth. The thought process was that those two would find their way into this process the closer I came to the others. Let's also be real! I pretty much know my self worth.. I'm just building! Plus, I'm almost never less than a happy camper! :p
Well those are my Plans! :) The next few posts will be the goals I've made to get to my plans! I'm excited! :) I'm getting ready to explore and build! I honestly can't wait! A lot can change within a year! ;p

Evolving

As people we are constantly evolving. Let it be physically, intellectually, or spiritually... It's one of the few things that will always be there. Constant.

Everyday. Every hour. Every minute. we are given the opportunity to make a decision. A choice. Sometimes we don't realize at that moment and we may think they are miniscule.. But they are vital to who we are and who we will become. Our choices can turn into our characteristics. Our image we put unto others.

One of my favorite quotes ever is from Democritis.

"Everyman blames fate but fate is only an echo of his characteristics and passions, his strengths and his weaknesses."

Evolve wisely. ;p

A lot

It's weird to say but a lot has happen since I've blogged last.
So many experiences.
So many changes within myself.
So many realizations.
So many interests rekindled.

I'm excited. For the first time in my life I'm putting myself as a top priority.
It's weird.
It's actually kind of hard.
How can putting yourself be so hard when you already know what's best for you and your interests?
It's not like you have to have a first date with yourself and ask all the inevitable, cliche' questions...

Or maybe after awhile.. Sometimes you do?

That's what I'm doing. I'm actually stepping back and asking myself for once instead of just assuming.

What are the things that truly interest me? (Reguardless if I've meddled in them previously or not.)
What are the things that I've always wanted to do?
These questions can even get more detailed like..
What kind of art projects have I wanted to start?
What songs do I want to become the bees knees at?
What books have I been wanting to read for ages but postponing?

And the big question...

What do I want to get out of this life?

Happiness.
Success.
Self Worth.
Art.
Music.
Carefree.
Home.
Health.

Those are the things I'm mediating on.

But I realized something. Sometimes you have to get ballsy. Enough to make decisions that force you towards the right direction on getting to those things out of life.
I've made a few already.
One was very good.
One was okay.
One was god awful.
I corrected it quickly though.

I'm a very visual person. It's easier for me to accomplish things by seeing the steps or small goals to the greater plans laid out in front of me.

I have a section of wall in my room dedicated to my one year project.
It's titled on top then I have all my one year goals (what I want to get from life) on there as well. With each goal I have attached things I can do to get me to them kind of forming an uniform tail below them.
Example...

Health:
-Yoga.
-Eating Organic/natural.
-Buying a new bike/bike riding.
-Eating healthier.
-Walks in the park/neighborhood.
-Skincare routines.
-Vitamins.

Each time I start a consistent routine with one.. I pull the goal off of my wall. Even if you put a super easy thing as a goal and it is gone within a day it's at least showing you're making way towards your plans! :] This way shows me a visual representation of how close I am to accomplishing it. I tend to stay motivate that way as well seeing myself become closer and closer. :]

I'm actually putting up my goals tonight and tomorrow so I'll be sure to list them in my next post for examples and inspirations. :]

The Lightbulb

Today over coffee I finally gave up my recent battle.
                 The internal battle of not continuing to tell myself I have my life together.
This for me is weird. Very unusual actually.
                  I have recently quit a stable career in progress.
                            I was gaining ground on a five year plan and hit the moment where I thought.
                                     Almost everything I'm doing here is going against my grain.
                  Uprooted from myself from familiarity.
                            Moved 1,800 miles away from home.
                                 Even though there were a few positive faces. Most I familiarized with negativity.
Every thing I did was making headway towards a happier me. Being true to myself.
                 But... Um.. If that was all for the best?
                                Why am I now COMPLETELY lost and all over the place?!
             
                 I think it's time to say it...
                       I have no idea what I'm doing! Who I really am? What I'm really wanting to do?
                                                               
 Then when I do have an idea..

                                                  


                                                      How the heck can I get there?

This begins my one year self project. Project Rethink. Revive. It's a project of self planning, self progression, and self discovery. I'll be posting at least once a week of things I've done to better myself and motivate me to complete my goals by the end of this year. I'm super pumped! <3