Fresh start. New beginning. Starting point. Launch. Day one. Origination. Onset. Clean slate. 

New Years Day is one of my favorite holidays. And not just because New Year's Eve is my birthday, which is super fun. (By the way - my husband is the sweetest. I love you so much William Ray. You made me cry.) I love New Year's Day because the world stops. It's a holiday dedicated to taking a deep breath and looking back at what you've accomplished this past year. It's a holiday dedicated to looking inside yourself to see the best parts of you, and the worst parts of you. It's a holiday dedicated to looking forward no matter what, to being the best person you can be in the year to come.

And I love that.

I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. [Phil 3:13-14]

Looking back, 2011 was an incredible year. A great year. A year where I can say I accomplished almost all of my 2011 goals.  I didn't paint every single room in my home, but I only have 2 to go. I didn't complete every single book on my 12-in-12 list (still finishing the final 2), but I actually read 16 books - one being the Bible. I have made more time for prayer and God's word, but I'm still working on taking a consistent Sabbath. But now, it's time to look forward. It's time to take my life to the next level. To mature spiritually, physically, and mentally like I never have before. 2012, I already like you a lot. It's a time of growth and change. I am thrilled to see what you have in store.

2012 Goals

Train my body to wake up consistently at 6am
Read 12 books in 12 months
Run a half marathon
Be intentional about having a spiritual mentor in my life
Hire someone / Outsource more
Drink 3 camelbaks per day (=9 glasses of water) for 5 days/week
Enforce strict office hours for Nancy Ray Photography
Plan a fun vacation trip - for just the two of us

January Goals

Wake up every work day at 6:30am, and go to bed at 10:30pm
Complete 4 Hour Workweek & Entreleadership
Prepare my heart and mind for Branches and Light (!)
Close the books on 2011 : Financially and Editing/Albums

I can't wait to hear your goals! Remember to leave a comment and leave a link to your goals as well.

photo credit : oh, hello friend via Pinterest