Discipline 2012

I'm sure you are aware, most of us make New Year's resolutions that fall by the wayside about a week into the new year.  Read this to see how to make them work for you.  This article shows statistics on how many of us do not keep our resolutions.  So, I "resolved" to not make any resolutions this year.  (Tee Hee)

A few months ago, my friend Sandy and I were talking and she said that she does her chores in the mornings, and then is able to "play" all afternoon. (We are stamping buddies...)   I said "Well that's a novel idea!"  And she said "Oh yes, I'm very disciplined.  I work first and then I play."   That conversation got me to thinking.

The word DISCIPLINE really resonated with me.  I was struggling with the boredom of doing the same thing day in and day out at my house.  It seems that I'm always cleaning a bathroom, or that I'm always complaining that I do not have time for my crafts.  As a woman who worked for 20 + years and then found myself with all of this free time, I was having trouble disciplining myself.  I had taken on the mantra of "I can do that tomorrow....  I can exercise TOMORROW.  I can clean the floors TOMORROW.  I can write my blog TOMORROW."  Do you see a pattern here?  Have you ever had this issue?

So, I began to analyze my methodologies.  I wake up, get my caffeine and then sit down at the computer.  I spend all morning checking out what other people are doing by reading my social media sites online.  By the time I'm finished, it's lunch time!  Are you kidding me?  Then, hubby has to go to work and I find myself alone and unmotivated.  Things have to change.  

That's when it came to me.   While I wouldn't make any resolutions, DISCIPLINE would be my word for 2012.  Each day, I would reflect on that word and try to find ways to incorporate it in my life.  Already, I've created a steady (sometimes daily) stream of blog posts.  (Are you all excited????)  I'm trying to make those blog posts something that you would find entertaining and would also be able to get valuable information from.  Also,  I've walked two miles each day since before the first of the year.  (Thank you to my hubby and baby sis for walking with me!)  I'm playing less games online and I'm actually reading my book instead of watching TV.  With hubby off the last two days, organization in the basement has been our focus.  So, discipline, so far, as been front and center for me this year.    

What is your word for 2012?  What do you hope to get accomplished this year?

If you read my blog often, you know that one of my favorite ways to create cards is to use a napkin as my focal point, wax it onto my background and then embellish it.  Here is a card I created from a napkin.  I thought these would be pretty to show since we are all looking forward to Spring.  Simple, simple...