Treasure maps!

Happy New Years Eve, everyone! What are your plans for tonight? I'm definitely not a party person, so I think we're staying in. We'll have a few drinks, eat some appetizers, watch a movie or two, and maybe play a few rounds of Scene It. That's my idea of a good night!

My house has been taken over by boys and I've barely been able to get to my computer for five seconds to write a post. Jason's good friend, B, flew in on Monday and will be with us until Friday. He and Jason were on the same submarine in Washington, and they've remained good friends since our move. He and Jason have been holed up in our computer room playing a computer game, so my computer is apparently off limits for the duration of his visit. Boys and their toys!

Have you sat down and thought about your New Year's Resolutions? I don't really like the idea of resolutions, personally. Every year, I stress myself out thinking about all the things I want to work on and end up with a huge list of character flaws that I think must be addressed in the coming year. I never, ever lose the weight I pledge to lose. I never end up going to the gym like I say I will. So what's the point? There isn't really one, for me. If you are a person who makes - and keeps! - resolutions, I admire you.

I remember last New Year's Eve very clearly. I made a treasure map (which I'll talk about later) and I sat down a listed a bunch of goals I wanted to accomplish. 2008 was going to be my year! I was moving and the change was just going to unleash a torrent of changes within me. Well, 2008 was a wonderful year, but I didn't accomplish everything I wanted to accomplish.

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results." - Albert Einstein

Ever heard that quote? It's very applicable to me, I think. This year I've decided to do something different. Instead of making resolutions, I'm going to sit down and make a 2009 list. The categories will be:

• Things I'd Like to Accomplish
• Places To Visit
• Things To Do

For example, my "accomplish" list is going to include learning to knit, paying down debt, and toning up my chicken flab arms. My "Things To Do" list might include getting my house organized, eating out less, and practicing better communication with my husband. Then, every week, I'll pick something to work on - and hopefully by the end of the year, I'll have accomplished everything on my list.

My theme for this year is going to be "Practicing Random Acts of Kindness." You see, for quite some time I've been feeling this nagging bit of dissatisfaction with myself. I feel like I should be doing more - that I should be a better person. I think I've become really jaded and selfish, and I don't like that about myself. I certainly haven't always been this way, and I'm not sure when I started caring more about myself and my circle of comfort than I did about helping other people. I really feel like by pushing myself to get out of my comfort zone, volunteer, and go out of my way each and every day to do nice things for other people will lead to me learning more about myself and changing for the better. What do you think? Does anyone want to join me? I haven't worked out exactly what I'll be doing or how it would work, but I think it would be great to have a partner!

One last thing - have you ever heard of treasure maps? No, not the pirate kind. :) Treasure maps are a great New Year's activity! It's simple a compilation of images (a collage of sorts) that help you to visualize your goals. I found this about treasure maps on the web:

Making a "treasure map" is a very powerful technique, and fun to do. A treasure map is an actual, physical picture of your desired reality. It is valuable because it forms an especially clear, sharp image which can then attract and focus energy into your goal. It works along the same lines as a blueprint for a building.

You can make a treasure map by drawing or painting it, or by making a collage using pictures and words cut from magazines, books or cards,
photographs, drawings, and so on. Don't worry if you're not artistically
accomplished. Simple, childlike treasure maps are just as effective as great works of art!

Basically the treasure map should show you in your ideal scene, with your goal fully realized.

My friend Sam agreed to let me share her treasure map with you. Hers is incredible, is it not? I think she created it in photoshop, or you could do something with digital scrapbooking software. I just used magazines for mine, and cut out pictures and words that corresponded with my goals.

Happy New Year's, everyone! I hope your 2009 is amazing!