Just Say No to Criticizing

Hola Mingle Monday-ers!

Thanks for stopping by. I'm in New Orleans for work all week, but God bless a hotel with free wi-fi!

I’ve been reading this book that tells me not to criticize. Very “judge, lest not ye be judged.” I know the Bible said it first, so yes, I should have been doing this for quite sometime, but this book was the first time I felt really convicted of it. That and it seems absolutely IMPOSSIBLE to do. How do you not criticize? Correction, how do I not criticize? I criticize everyone and everything including myself. I’m really going to try though. It is true that I’m not perfect either so what right have I, but man, that is a tough call. Trying to replace critical thoughts with kind, understanding thoughts is going to take a lot. And not saying anything critical? An act of God. That’s what that will take and that’s what I’m praying for.

I’ll let you know how it goes, but what about you? Are you a critical person or are you good at bestowing grace? And if so, any tips for me on how to do it?

11 Things to Do in L.A. in 2011

Alright, I want to try things I haven't done in L.A. before so here is my list:

1. Improv show at UCB-that would be Upright Citizens Brigade. I took classes at Second City last year, and while I LOVED it, I'm thinking of switching over to UCB. Plus, they have some shows I just really want to see.
2. Slimmons exercise class-Have you heard about this? Richard Simmons actually leads the workouts and people I've talked to say they're fabulous and fun! I saw him once in the airport and he was a total drama queen, but only in L.A. can you take class from Richard Simmons.
3. Eat at Formosa Café-I just feel that this is a classic L.A. spot and yet I've never been so I want to try it.
4. Explore Eagle Rock-There are a lot of places in Los Angeles that I've only been to once or twice and could probably learn more about but I've NEVER been to Eagle Rock and I hear it's fun. I already know a restaurant I want to try and I hear the stores are cute.
5. Coffee at 101 Coffee Shop-I can't even count the number of times I've driven by and "Swingers" was filmed here and to me that is an iconic L.A. movie that I treasure so I need to go.
6. Concert at the Greek Theater-I want to go to more concerts and I've never been to the Greek and hear it's a great place to see a show.
7. Rose Bowl Flea Market-It's supposed to be the greatest flea market and I want to haggle for deals on cute apartment stuff!
8. See a midnight showing of “The Room”-if you've never heard of it, google it. It is supposedly the worst movie ever made and the midnight showing of it has become an "only in L.A." thing to do.
9. Finally have dinner at Bazaar at SLS-I feel about 2 years behind but I really, really want to eat there. Jose Andres is a genius and I loved his first restaurant Zatinya in D.C. and really want to experience his molecular gastronomy.
10. Explore downtown-it is the hippest place in L.A. now and I haven't really done much down there. I want to take an afternoon/evening and just explore. This will probably happen on an Art Walk night because I have friends that I know want to go this year.
11. I'm leaving #11 open for now. I'm not quite sure yet what this one should be, but I will definitely decide and do it before the end of the year!

So there's my list. What do you want to try to do in your city this year?

Favorite Time of Year!

As much as I love Christmas, the days between Christmas and New Year's are my favorite time of the year. I get stuff organized in my apartment and can hang out with friends and set goals for the new year!

Last year I posted the Goal Chart that I really love, but I'm thinking of just making a list this year. Actually, 2 lists-goals I want to achieve and 12 Things to Do in L.A. and hopefully cross off one a month!

I'll be posting those lists in the next few days, but for now, what are your goals for the next year?

Top 2 Tuesdays

Top 2 Things to Accomplish by the End of the Year

1. Lose 10 pounds and not gain it back during the holidays! Really, it's going to happen this year. I'm working out and counting calories and everything!

2. Finish the application for becoming a bone marrow donor. I started the process way back in January and then never finished it. It was a goal set out for the year and I need to do it.

Calling

I've been thinking all week about the idea of having a "calling". I think this is something I've always been somewhat obsessed with but maybe just never used the actual word "calling". I will say I've known for a long time that I was called to work in entertainment, but I do sometimes wonder if callings can change. Like can you have multiple callings for different times in your life?

An article was written for Boundless Webzine and it was called "Career vs. Calling" (their site is down right now so I can't link to it, but I'll update it later). In the article the author states, "The call of God is both universal and personal. He desires an intimate relationship with all of his creation-a universal longing that none would perish. Yet, when you heed that call, there is a deeper plan to discover-a specific assignment only you can complete; 'The Lord has assigned to each his task(1 Cor. 3:5)."

I love the idea that God has a plan specifically designed for me. I think the thing that gets me is that a calling should be one specific thing and if you aren't doing that thing then you are in the wrong. Does that make sense? Like you're missing out because you aren't doing what you are destined to do.

The article discussed how so many college students simply seek out a career and not a calling. He then walks through how to find your calling. This is something I think I'm really going to explore and seek in the next year. It was interesting timing since I was already thinking of exploring some new options in a couple of months and I kind of have a plan in place, this goes right along with it.

So what about you? Do you know your calling? How was it made clear to you? If not, have you even tried to find your calling? I'd love to know!

No TV for a Week

So I decided that television is the key to my lack of productivity. I love television. I will never be a person to say you shouldn't watch TV, but I know the amount I watch is probably unhealthy and maybe to the point of addiction. I've tried in the past to allow myself only one hour a day, but when I do that I just end up leaving it on. So, I decided to go cold turkey.
I have been off my TV drug for approximately 36 hours. The last thing I watched was Mad Men on DVR yesterday morning. Since then, nothing. I will say this morning was the hardest so far because I'm used to the "Today Show" being on while I get ready. Tonight when I get home from work will definitely be a struggle. I'm tired and my eyes are tired and all I want to do is lay down on the couch and watch re-runs. But I will stay strong! Let's see how I do in a few days!

Goals for the week

So, I had a couple of goals set this year that were supposed to be done weekly and 3 1/2 weeks in, well let's just say I'm at a satisfactory level. I didn't do yoga at all this week. Hopefully I will today, but even still it's just once for the week. And as for cooking once a week, I am counting the chicken I baked and then turned into Curry Chicken Salad. I also made egg salad today and am going to make this mozzarella meal later on. No cooking involved in the last one, but I'm still counting it! I'll try and post pictures soon! Still, the good thing about goals is even when you fail you can pick yourself up and try again. This next week will be better!

Happy New Year Everyone!

Happy New Year! I spent my New Year's Day writing down goals, cooking, napping and watching "House" DVDs. What did you do?

Thought I'd share with you some of my goals to get you brainstorming about your own:

• Pay off credit card
• Become a bone marrow donor
• Yoga 2x a week
• Go to Solvang (I've never been)
• Cook one meal a week

I had many more since I used the goal template I showed you in the earlier post, but I thought I'd share just a few to get you started. I think your goals should be a mix of fun and serious. What would you like to change about yourself? What experience have you just put off but always wanted? I see my goal sheet as basically a huge to-do list. I love checking stuff off!

Goal Setting for the New Year

While I'm not a fan of resolutions for the new year, I do think it is good to re-evaluate and set goals.A few years ago I read this book called "Knit Together" on discovering God's purpose for your life. In it there is a great template for setting goals for the year. I've used it the last two years and while I haven't finished everything, it is an excellent way to focus how you want to spend your time and what you want to work on in the year to come.

Goals for the Year

3 New Things You'd Like to Experience this Year:

3 Nonfiction Books You Want to Read this Year:

3 Things About Yourself You Want to Improve:

I. Spiritual Goals

II. Family Goals

III. Physical Goals

IV. Career Goals

V. Recreational Goals

VI. Financial Goals

I will say I think one problem for me with setting goals is I feel like I have to do them all immediately. This year, I'm going to divid them out. For example, my non-fiction book choices are each going to have a four month period in which to read them. So then it keeps me on track. Or certain career goals are going to have a month assigned in which to get them done. Then it's not an "all-at-once" kind of thing. Just a suggestion.

Here's to the New Year!

So, in my world basically everything after Christmas is the New Year. I love these few days in between the two holidays to start gearing up for the new year. Cleaning, organizing, setting goals, etc. Today I did MAJOR grocery shopping as this WILL be the year I learn to legitimately cook. I'm making chicken stock tomorrow for lesson number one and let's just say I'm terrified but excited to try. I also took down all my Christmas decorations which included the 8 ft. tree. That's right, all 5'1" of me put the tree away. Very heavy, but at least it's not taunting me anymore saying Christmas is over! Anyway, I look forward to blogging more in the year to come and will be talking more about all this "New Year, New You" stuff in the days to come.