So...I'm not quite sure what I'm doing here yet. My rough plans are to use this blog as a place to write down my experiences this year. Hopefully it will motivate me to look for new adventures to share.
I guess I can start with my new years resolutions and go from there:
-To eat healthier (cut down on the sweets, increase the protein and veggies and fresher foods in general)
-To exercise consistently - I'm not planning on two hours every day or anything like that. I will start with three days a week (preferably MWF).
-That exercise will hopefully consist of yoga.
-To be a more organized, determined student
-To start working towards my future career, which right now is headed towards: band director
New developments:
-Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic: I learned so many wonderful things on my trip to Chicago. I learned that I really love this field of work and hope to do well in it one day. I also love the people. One thing that stood out to me was how much interest I have in teaching. It really hit me during a middle school program organization lecture. I never thought I would be one for middle school, but I LOVE organizing things and I love that through teaching I have the chance to positively influence a student by helping them gain self-confidence through music. That is my top goal: to help students feel good about themselves, because I believe it can make a big difference in the world. Along with that also comes learning valuable lessons, of course, and obviously becoming a better musician. Maybe I'd want to teach middle school band? I have a while to figure all that out, though.
-I am a generally anxious person. The first two years of college were not a happy time for me. Wonderful things happened and I have met wonderful people, but in general I haven't been as happy as I used to be. I'm trying to figure out why. Well, boys are stupid, but besides that... haha. :) I read an article today that said scientists are beginning to notice a "resilience gene" that basically determines how well you react to stinky situations in your life. Some people bounce back faster than others. I don't think I got that gene, so I have to find ways to overcome that problem when it's active. This is the main motivation behind exercise and eating better, since I hear those do indeed effect your mood. I'm not aiming for anything drastic, but just want to see what a little more effort towards each does to my mood.
I really want to try yoga, as part of the physical fitness aspect. Since I am often tense, maybe yoga well help stretch me out a bit and center my mind so that I can chill out instead of stress out. A class pass to the student workout place will hopefully be happening in the next few weeks.
-I'm still so unsure of my faith. I'm so back and forth. I feel like I could never be a good Christian because I would fail too often. And there are still some topics I just don't understand. In my heart I would like to believe in something. In fact, I do believe in God, but I feel like some people would say that's not true since I'm not following a Christian lifestyle perfectly. I know we all sin, but still. Of all the churches in my town, I do believe I have found the one I am most comfortable with. Surprisingly, it is a more conservative old-school Methodist church. Maybe that comes from my Catholic raising. Anywho, I feel like I am being drawn to go. I've felt like that for a long time but had too many attachments to other peoples Sunday's and was church drifting quite often. I have come to realize that the big modern super churches just aren't for me at all.
-I want to study abroad somewhere. Ever since I went to Argentina in May of 2010, I have had this "take chances, go on adventures, see great things, and live life in the present" mentality. If not study abroad, I really hope my family goes back to France this summer and that I get to go with them. On my list are Alaska, New Zealand, and Hawaii. As a child, I was always outside, running around, exploring the woods, being active, enjoying the scenery and the feel of the wind. I want to appreciate these things again.
My hypothesis is: IF I have a healthier balanced diet, am more active, explore the beauty of nature, and make other people feel good about themselves, THEN I will be happier and truly living life.
"Happiness is not a destination. It is a mood." - I heard that on One Tree Hill - If people spent more time appreciating the little things around them, instead of working towards this goal of happiness/(the American Dream maybe?), they would be much happier.
