handsome men's club

Jimmy Kimmel is a hero. I write this with "my head held handsome."

resolutions

I'm still allowed to talk about resolutions. After all, it's not February till Tuesday...

It's all to easy to get distracted when it comes to New Year's Resolutions. We make idealized commitments to lose weight, work out more, eat healthier, get better grades, etc. While these are all positive in general, they matter little in application. I'm not meaning to sounds accusatory. I've been there. And failed too.

That's why this year, I have a layered approach to resolutions. My overall theme is "A Return to Normalcy" (yes, that was the 1920 presidential campaign slogan of Warren G. Harding - I'm impressed you knew that...!). This might seem odd to you, but I want my life to be normal, not rushing home to check facebook or overanalyzing trivial matters. I want to simply live. And so I try to ask myself "is this normalcy?" It's a good check. 

More specifically, and in some in conjunction with the 40 Days Challenge, I've decided to:

1. Journal daily - I'm hoping to chronicle my thoughts - so often I think profound things and have to rethink them months later... it's going pretty superbly I might add.
2. Read my Bible daily - I'm failing here, but I'm trying. The goal continues.
3. No soda. Ever again. - It's a good decision and I've made it. Water and I are closer than ever. No candy bars either...
4. Exercising daily - Swimming class has made this much easier...
5. Writing 1 thank-you note each week - everyone deserves to be appreciated...

Life needs times like New Years. Self-evaluation is good. I truly want to be the best person I can be all the time. I'll never be perfect, but I always, want to be improving. Introspection is good.

This blog was prompted by a Donald Miller blog, Commit to the Work, not the Goals. It's a good read and reminded me of what I've been thinking/doing and the discussions of my Sunday small group...

historical ineptitude

At CommUnity today, presenter made a comment about a study in Maryland which showed that 8-year-olds in their sample knew more beer companies than presidents. Being a history major, this saddened me instantly. What happened next was even worse. A guy sitting behind me said "I can relate" and started listing off "presidents:" Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, Hamilton. Seriously? 50% of the ones he was sure of... Ridiculous. I'm glad he knows the individuals on his currency, but this is an atrocity. How can anyone leave high school without even listing ten presidents correctly (though I think everyone should know at least most presidents including a rough knowledge of their timeline)? This is what makes me want to be a high school teacher. Students should take an interest in their country. We have a representative government. It's important to know what happened in the past and what's happening in the present, so that we can make educated decisions regarding our future. That includes... the presidents...

Quote of the day: "And that's Pope Jeffrey the Pimp to you..." - Jeff Gilbert

Oh, and thanks to Cami Waring for actually reminding me I have a blog! I forgot how much I enjoyed writing these...