I RESOLVE TO . . .

I Resolve To™ . . . Dare To Dream! - Day 150

Open your mind and imagine!  Have the courage to dream big dreams - today, not someday!  It's not January 1, 2007.  It's not the dead of winter with cold winds whipping, grey skies stretched as far as the eye can see, and cabin fever smothering the best of intentions.  It is the last day of May 2007.  The skies are blue, the sun is out, the grass is green, roses are blooming, and 'yes' we're finally wearing short sleeves and sandals. 

If making and keeping New Year resolutions is difficult during the blustery months of winter, there are no excuses by the time June rolls around.  It's true, a lot of folks have a hard time 'motivating' during the winter months, and that's understandable.  In February , it's much easier to curl up under a warm comforter with a good book and a pillow than to head to the gym.  But, it's almost June now, so those excuses won't work anymore! 

It's time to get busy.  There are 215 days left in 2007, plenty of time to Dare To Dream: open your mind to the possibility that you can make great strides, achieve wonderful things, and succeed!  What is that one thing that you passionately want to 'do, experience, learn, achieve, teach, feel, see?  In your heart, you know what I'm talking about.  It's that 'thing' you day dream about while you're at work.  It's that thing you've secretly wanted to do for a long, long time - but you haven't 'shared' your with anyone.  A spark of a dream burns deeply in your heart and soul.  Even if you've been procrastinating, out of fear - or for a myriad of other reasons - you haven't had the heart to 'douse' that spark with cold water.  It''s time to stir the ashes and fan the flames.

This coming weekend, give it some thought.  What would it take?  Are you ready?  What are the rewards?  Are you ready to live with the 'regret' if you don't pursue your dream?  Think about it.  What do you really have to lose?

Remember:  I Resolve To Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.  It's your choice.  Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good!  Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who keeps resolutions and enjoys the journey!  Let's Go For It!!

Kim M. Simpson - May 31, 2007
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I Resolve To™ . . . Choose 'Not' To Be Overwhelmed - Day 149

Choices, Choices, Choices!  So many choices in life, so little time.  Sometimes it can be a little overwhelming can't it?  Personally, I was feeling somewhat disorganized this morning.  I enjoyed a long holiday weekend and found myself back at work today, staring at a huge pile of work, and wondering how I was going to get it all done.  Wondering 'where to begin'??  June is a very busy month.  Actually it seems that it's busy all the time - but the next four weeks will be extremely busy. 

So, instead of swimming all day in those disorienting feelings, I spent an hour typing up a comprehensive 'To Do List', and began tackling some of the dozens of small tasks.  My goal was to create a sense of accomplishment by completing a lot of manageable goals, and reducing the size of the list.  My approach did, in fact, help to eliminate my discomfort, and it put me firmly back in the 'driver's seat'.  I felt more in control of my 'In Box', and my work life, by the end of the day.  As a reward, I hit the pool for 30-minutes of laps, and felt wonderful when I was done.  What could have been a disatrous day turned out to be a 'great day'!

That's critically important to my own dreams, resolutions and goals right now.  I need organize my life so that I can carve out appropriate 'writing time' this summer.  In 2007, I'm determined to finish my book about 'how' to fulfill dreams, keep resolutions and achieve goals. Next year at this time, I hope that 'you' will be reading it! :)

Remember:  I Resolve To Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.  It's your choice.  Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good!  Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who keeps resolutions and enjoys the journey!  Let's Go For It!!

Kim M. Simpson - May 30, 2007
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I Resolve To™ . . . Maintain My Faith, Hope And Optimism! - Day 148

We've just enjoyed a long holiday weekend, the sun is out, the weather is warm - why not face the rest of the week with faith, hope and optimsim?  It's a whole lot easier to face the day, the week - life -with a positive attitude and a sense of optimism.  That said, a positive attitude 'alone' isn't going to make your dreams, resolutions and goals 'magically' happen.  It takes hard work, confidence, passion, patience, persistence, and a plan to fulfill dreams, keep resolutions and achieve goals.  But a positive attitude can make the journey easier and more enjoyable.

Youve probably heard the phrase 'can do' attitude?  If you believe you can - you can.  If you believe you can't, well - you probably can't.  That's why faith, hope and optimism are so important when you're pursuing a dream.  You have to believe in yourself and your dream during the good times and the bad times.  You have to trust that you will find a way to overcome the obstacles.  And 'yes' you have to be realistic about your goals and your expectations, otherwise you defeat yourself before you even begin.

Achievement and success don't come without a price.  They're not free and anyone who tells you they are 'free' is selling you snake oil.  When someone offers you 'something for nothing', you'll usually end up with nothing.  When it comes to fulfilling dreams, why would you want to have it handed to you on a silver platter anyway?  The pleasure and happiness comes as you make the journey - as you make your dream a reality with your own wits, intelligence, and sweat equity.  So stay positive and optimistic, but that's only have the equation - the other half of the equation is 'you' and 'me' and how we make things happen in our lives.

Remember:  I Resolve To Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.  It's your choice.  Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good!  Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who keeps resolutions and enjoys the journey!  Let's Go For It!!

Kim M. Simpson - May 29, 2007
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I Resolve To™ . . . Honor Our Fallen Soldiers This Memorial Day - Day 147

Happy Memorial Day!  Yes, I'm so happy that this is a long holiday weekend - an opportunity to get caught up on home and personal projects, work on our hobbies, pursue our dreams, spend time with friends and family, rest, relax, and of course, barbecue. 

Personally it's been a great weekend.  I've done a little bit of all of that the past few days.  That said, I also want to remember the purpose of this holiday:  paying tribute to the men and women who have died in military service.  They died to protect us and all that our country is and all that it stands for.  Today I also want to say a silent prayer for all the men and women who are serving in the U.S. Military both here in the states, and around the world.  They keep us safe, they help to protect and preserve our way of life.  I offer these wise words in their honor . . .

"A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself."  Joseph Campbell - American Author and Editor

"True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic.  It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost."  Arthur Ashe - American Social Activist and Tennis Player

"We must be prepared to make heroic sacrifices for the cause of peace that we make ungrudgingly for the cause of war.  There is no task that is more important or closer to my heart."  Albert Einstein - German Born American Physicist

"In valor there is hope."  Publius Cornelius Tacitus

Remember:  I Resolve To Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.  It's your choice.  Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good!  Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who keeps resolutions and enjoys the journey!  Let's Go For It!!

Kim M. Simpson - May 28, 2007
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I Resolve To™ . . . Give Myself Credit For A Job Well Done! - Day 146

Soooo Thankful For A Long Weekend!  My home and personal projects are done, and what's left to be completed will wait for another time in June.  I've worked hard and now I'm giving myself a pat on the back for getting my house and life organized this week, in preparation for work on creative projects and a very busy June with my business projects.  Top of the list, 'yes' front and center, is my resolution project.  I'm going to finish my book this summer and fall, and have picked out a spot at my favorite coffee shop in Fredericksburg, Hyperion Espresso.  I'll do some of the writing and organizing there as I just love the people and the environment - alas, I 'digress'.

My point today is this:  we've worked hard all week, all month, all year. Maybe it's time to take a little, accept credit for all the hard work, and take a little breather.  Let's consider all of our accomplishments, rather than dwelling about the work that's left to be done. Let's spend some time with friends and family.  That's my plan and I hope you're doing the same thing.  Everyone needs a break! 

Personally, I'm definitely going to relax.  I may give my dreams a little 'noodle time', and do a little writing, but mostly I'm just going to enjoy my friends - good conversation, good food, good wine, good coffee!  It's time to 'stop and smell the roses'.  I'll get back to work next week!

Remember:  I Resolve To Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.  It's your choice.  Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good!  Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who keeps resolutions and enjoys the journey!  Let's Go For It!!

Kim M. Simpson - May 27, 2007
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Dreams, Resolutions And Goals Are Wonderful!

"Our dreams lend inspiration, fun, and fulfillment to our lives. They help us to grow and build self esteem. They make us happy. They can make others happy too, depending on the dream. Best of all pursuing our dreams 'today' enables us to live full lives 'now', and when all is said and done - when our time here on earth is at an end - we won't depart with regret for all those things we wish we had done!"

Kim M. Simpson - May 26, 2007
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I Resolve To™ . . . Do My Weekly Check-In! - Day 145

I just love the weekend!  Even when I have to work, or have home projects to tackle, I still try to make time for my dreams, resolutions and goals.  Today is going to be a long day of gardening and yard work, house cleaning, and preparing for holiday house guests (fortunately I enjoy all of those task and projects).  But I did my morning journaling and am in the process of reviewing where I want to go next with my dream of writing my resolution book; and one of my Lifetime Resolutions, to exercise each day for at least 30-minutes.  Years and years ago, when I was still a teenager, I made exercise a permanent resolution, a habit that I love, and try to pursue daily, or three to four days each week at a minimum. 

I do daily and weekly Check-Ins, in my paper-journal and online blog, in an effort to keep my dreams, resolutions and goals front and center, and to consistently build a solid, but flexible plan, set deadlines, create timelines, make course-corrections, and reward myself for hard won victories!  If you're constantly reviewing where you've been and where you're headed, your odds of success are much, much higher.

As you've probably read in earlier posts, I believe is starting with a dream;  turning it into a simple, determined one-sentence resolution; and making it happen with daily goals (my plan).  I also believe in making and keeping my resolutions for life.  Why learn, achieve, or create something only to abandon it and move on to the next thing - just cross it off the list?! Some of my other Lifetime Resolutions involve writing, photography, friends/family, random acts of kindness, giving back to the community, gardening, organizing, and beautifying my home. 

I don't have time to focus on each resolution, each and every day, but so many of them overlap and are intertwined that I'm always making progress on multiple projects. Lessons and skills learned from one resolution often help me with other resolutions, much like building blocks, or piecing together a jigsaw puzzle.  For instance, organizing helps me with home, garden, and writing projects. 

Each year I try to put the majority of my 'spare-time' focus into one major, life-altering dream.  I devote smaller increments of time to my other Lifetime Resolutions, as they are already firmly a part of my life.  I started my resolution project, IResolveTo.com, in 2005 for instance.  It's now a Lifetime Resolution, something that will likely be with me for good!

When you have Lifetime Resolutions and know they're with you for good, it tends to take some of the pressure off.  You know you don't have to move mountains overnight.  That's not to say that you don't set challenging deadlines, it's important to challenge yourself (challenge keeps the momentum and motivation going).  It's equally important to learn everything you can about what you need to 'do' to achieve your dream, then create a realistic plan, with realistic 'daily/weekly' steps (goals) that you can take one by one, day after day.  And you need to 'keep learning' and working hard at your dream, resolution and goals!

Personally, I'm happy with my progress on my resolution project, and on my other Lifetime Resolutions.  It would be wonderful to have more time to devote to each one, but if you just stick with it and do the best you can, I firmly believe you will achieve things both great and small!!

Remember:  I Resolve To Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.  It's your choice.  Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good!  Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who keeps resolutions and enjoys the journey!  Let's Go For It!!

Kim M. Simpson - May 26, 2007
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I Resolve To™ . . . Make Quality Time For Me, Once The Work Is Done! - Day 144

TGIF!!  How's your week?  Hope you've enjoyed a calm, productive week, as we now head into a nice long holiday weekend.  Personally, I decided to use part of this week to get caught up with personal projects - errands, mowing, trimming, cleaning, organizing, filing, re-potting, shopping.  I always have a long list of 'Things To Do' for the house and yard.  I decided it was time to get motivated with those projects this week, so that I can focus on creative projects - dreams, resolutions and goals - this summer.  I find that I function creatively so much better when my house and office is clean, and my personal/professional life is organized!

With that in mind, I'm going to spend the next couple of days 'motivating', then I'm going to make some 'quality time for me' the rest of the weekend.  Relax, write, dinners with friends, maybe a trip to a park on the Potomac River.  So much to do!  As you plot your course for the weekend, I hope you can dedicate some 'quality time' to you and I send these words of optimism your way!

"The world is but a canvas to the imagination."  Henry David Thoreau

"It's one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them."  Ralph Waldo Emerson

"For a long time now I have tried simply to write the best I can.  Sometimes I'm have good luck and write better than I can."  Ernest Hemingway

"If you don't like something, change it.  If you can't change it, change your attitude.  Don't complain."  Maya Angelou

Remember:  I Resolve To Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.  It's your choice.  Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good!  Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who keeps resolutions and enjoys the journey!  Let's Go For It!!

Kim M. Simpson - May 25, 2007
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"The world is but a canvas to the imagination."  Henry David Thoreau

"It's one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them."  Ralph Waldo Emerson

"For a long time now I have tried simply to write the best I can.  Sometimes I'm have good luck and write better than I can."  Ernest Hemingway

"If you don't like something, change it.  If you can't change it, change your attitude.  Don't complain."  Maya Angelou

I Resolve To™ . . . Make My Choices Consciously! - Day 143

So many choices!  On any given day we make dozens, perhaps even hundreds, of big and small choices and decisions.  What to have for lunch?  Left turn or right turn on the way to a new destination in the car?  Head to the gym, or not?  Procrastinate, or get busy with that work project? 

Some of these choices and decisions are carefully thought out - 'how to proceed with a work project', for instance.  Others are driven by mood and attitude - 'I don't feel like working on my novel because I don't feel inspired', or 'I'm going to sit down at my computer and do the best I can, I'm going to write three pages today'.  I'm too tired to work out (I try to avoid that particular choice, since I always feel better and more energetic if I overcome my fatigue and do a 20-30-minute work out).

Other choices are made unconsciously.  I think of these unconscious choices as 'sleep-walking' through the day.  Think about all the choices you make with little or no thought.  Tomorrow, try this experiment:  as you make the journey through your day, really 'think about the choices and decisions you are making'.  Consider the type and variety of choices that you make.  How many do you really 'think about'?  How many are intuitive choices, or habitual choices, or instinctive choices?  What would happen if you give more thought to those choices? 

Personally, I find that the quality of my life improves when I give more conscious throught to my choices and decisions. I feel more in control of my life, more optimistic, and I tend to make 'better' choices and decisions.  Of course, it's not possible to spend hours and hours scrutinzing every aspect of every choice that you make, not enough hours in the day, and 'over thinking' is probably less productive than giving 'no thought' to choices and decisions. 

Yes, like most things there is a fine line, and balance involved, but it's certainly worth a try.  Tomorrow, give your choices and decisions some forethought and care.  Consider how and why you make choices, and how you could benefit if you actively particpate in the choosing, rather than passively letting things happen.  Why not start your day by choosing to have a 'great day', be positive and optimistic - it's a long holiday weekend, after all!  I hope you also choose to devote some time to 'you' and your dreams, resolutions and goals this weekend!  I'm going to do likewise, and I'll report back on how it goes in coming days.

Remember:  I Resolve To Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.  It's your choice.  Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good!  Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who keeps resolutions and enjoys the journey!  Let's Go For It!!

Kim M. Simpson - May 24, 2007
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I Resolve To™ . . . Organize My World! - Day 142

Cleaning, Mowing, Trimming, Organizing, Shopping!  That's my 'Things To Do List' for the week.  I'm working hard to get caught up with a variety of projects, and to get my life organized.  I have a lot to do this summer with my I Resolve To book and project, so I'm preparing for what's ahead.  I'm making some room, some time - creating optimal conditions - to achieve my dream, which is to help you to achieve your dreams, resolutions and goals.  With that in mind, I hope your dreams are front and center, and I offer these words of encouragement on this Wednesday . . .

"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."  George Bernard Shaw

"The possible's slow fuse is lit, by the imagination."  Emily Dickinson

"Time is the coin of your life.  It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent.  Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you."  Carl Sandburg

Remember:  I Resolve To Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.  It's your choice.  Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good!  Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who keeps resolutions and enjoys the journey!  Let's Go For It!!

Kim M. Simpson - May 23, 2007
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Cleaning, Mowing, Trimming, Organizing, Shopping!  That's my 'Things To Do List' for the week.  I'm working hard to get caught up with a variety of projects, and to get my life organized.  I have a lot to do this summer with my I Resolve To book and project, so I'm preparing for what's ahead.  I'm making some room, some time - creating optimal conditions - to achieve my dream, which is to help you to achieve your dreams, resolutions and goals.  With that in mind, I hope your dreams are front and center, and I offer these words of encouragement on this Wednesday . . .

"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."  George Bernard Shaw

"The possible's slow fuse is lit, by the imagination."  Emily Dickinson

"Time is the coin of your life.  It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent.  Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you."  Carl Sandburg

Remember:  I Resolve To Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.  It's your choice.  Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good!  Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who keeps resolutions and enjoys the journey!  Let's Go For It!!

Kim M. Simpson - May 23, 2007
Copyright © I Resolve To™ * All Rights Reserved

"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."  George Bernard Shaw

"The possible's slow fuse is lit, by the imagination."  Emily Dickinson

"Time is the coin of your life.  It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent.  Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you."  Carl Sandburg

Make Each Day New Year's Day - Make Each Day Count!

"Make good use of your time, today. Make each day New Year's Day, a day of hope, renewal and gratitude. Make each day count.  Don't waste another day. Don't simply respond to the 'In Box' everyday. Make some time for you, your dreams, resolutions, and goals. Even if you fail occasionally, you will also succeed. Don't let fear of failure or disappointment hold you back. Those 'lessons learned' and those 'wins' can fuel the fire of victories to come!"

Kim M. Simpson - May 22, 2007
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"Make good use of your time, today. Make each day New Year's Day, a day of hope, renewal and gratitude. Make each day count.  Don't waste another day. Don't simply respond to the 'In Box' everyday. Make some time for you, your dreams, resolutions, and goals. Even if you fail occasionally, you will also succeed. Don't let fear of failure or disappointment hold you back. Those 'lessons learned' and those 'wins' can fuel the fire of victories to come!"

Kim M. Simpson - May 22, 2007
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I Resolve To™ . . . Believe! - Day 141

Believe in yourself and your dreams!  It's one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself.  As you might imagine, based on what I write about here at IResolveTo.com, I believe strongly in 'giving back', sharing my knowledge, helping others, contributing to my community, and larger world causes.  In order to make those 'contributions' I first must believe in myself, and my dreams.  I do believe that I have something to offer - to me, and to the people that inhabit my life. 

And so do you! This week, have faith that you can and will achieve your dreams.  Even if you only achieve 50 percent of your goals, you will be astounded by the results.  Imagine not trying at all.  What a shame.  What a loss to both you and the rest of the world.  Give it a shot, you're worth it!

Remember:  I Resolve To Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.  It's your choice.  Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good!  Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who keeps resolutions and enjoys the journey!  Let's Go For It!!

Kim M. Simpson - May 22, 2007
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I Resolve To™ . . . Have A Wonderful Week! - Day 140

A wonderful week - that's exactly how I'm going to approach the next seven days!  Personally, it's been a long year, so I'm really looking forward to the upcoming holiday weekend.  As a small business owner I work long hours, and a lot of weekends, so I cherish my 'off time' to relax, and 'yes' work on my dreams, goals and resolutions (which I don't consider 'work' because I enjoy them so much).  That's why you see the 'TGIF' sign every Friday. I celebrate the weekends, almost as much as I celebrate the holidays (even if I have to work).  Weekends and holiday weeks are my time to un-wind, brainstorm about how to achieve my resolutions/dreams, and 'act' on those plans.

With that in mind, as the holiday weekend approaches I have my list of 'Things To Do' in hand.  I'm planning to do a lot of cleaning, organizing, mowing, trimming, shopping, and so on to get my house yard and personal life in 'ship shape'.  It's part of a 'preparation process' for a Summer of writing, and a Fall of editing.  I'm in the final stages of working on my book about how to make and keep New Year resolutions, and I'm really looking forward to the next six months as I stitch my book together piece by piece.  It's a labor of love and I'm really enthusaistic about the journey ahead.  My dream is to help you achieve your dreams, resolutions and goals, and I'm determined to succeed!

Remember:  I Resolve To Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.  It's your choice.  Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good!  Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who keeps resolutions and enjoys the journey!  Let's Go For It!!

Kim M. Simpson - May 21, 2007
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I Resolve To™ . . . Seek Balance This Week! - Day 139

Work hard, play hard, and make time to relax and re-charge your batteries along the way!  As you approach the coming week why not make time for all three important activities?  Work hard to live up to your responsibilities and fultill your dreams;  set aside quality time with family, friends, and treasured hobbies - have some fun along the way; and make time to relax!  Discovering and maintaining a healthy balance in your life can contribute to your dreams, resolutions and goals. 

Finding true balance is a struggle.  I battle with it on a daily basis.  There's just too much to do, too little time. That's why it's important to make concious choices about daily activities, and how to best use the 24 short hours we get in each day.  Think as you go and keep those priorities front and center!  I wish you well this week as you make your journey, and I send these words of inspiration . . .

"A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it bearing within him the image of a cathedral."  Antoine de Saint-Exupery

"It takes someone with the vision of the possibilities to attain new levels of experience.  Someone with the courage to live his dreams."  Les Brown

"Zen is not some kind of excitement, but concentration on our usual daily routine." Shunryu Suzuki, Japanese Zen Priest

"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and ernestly."
Hindu Prince Guatama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, 563-483 B.C.

Remember:  I Resolve To Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.  It's your choice.  Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good!  Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who keeps resolutions and enjoys the journey!  Let's Go For It!!

Kim M. Simpson - May 20, 2007
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"A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it bearing within him the image of a cathedral."  Antoine de Saint-Exupery

"It takes someone with the vision of the possibilities to attain new levels of experience.  Someone with the courage to live his dreams."  Les Brown

"Zen is not some kind of excitement, but concentration on our usual daily routine." Shunryu Suzuki, Japanese Zen Priest

"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and ernestly."
Hindu Prince Guatama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, 563-483 B.C.

I Resolve To™ . . . Re-Charge My Batteries! - Day 138

The weekend is upon us, we've worked hard all week - perhaps it's time to take a break!  Day after day, I preach about working hard, staying focused, planning, and persisting, to achieve dreams, resolutions, and goals - but balance is important too!  That's perhaps my own 'hardest challenge', finding balance - time to kick back and relax, float in the pool, meditate, watch a movie, and have some fun.  All too often, my time to relax comes late at night.  Yes, I know I need to try harder to schedule down time, and I'm going to make it more of a priority!

Next week, for instance, I'm going to get caught up on a variety of home and personal projects, which for me is relaxing.  I'm going to pace myself, and I'm going to set time aside each day to float in the pool, spend quiet time out on my patio with all the critters, and do some reading.  My resolutions aren't going to languish - I'll be here!  But I am going to make some time for me, and you should too.  I bet you burn the candle at both ends also.  Most people do.  It is possible to keep your eye on the prize, keep your dreams front and center, and make that all important time to relax!

Remember:  I Resolve To Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.  It's your choice.  Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good!  Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who keeps resolutions and enjoys the journey!  Let's Go For It!!

Kim M. Simpson - May 19, 2007
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I Resolve To™ . . . Give Myself Credit For A Job Well Done! - Day 137

TGIF!!  Made it through another work week.  It's Day 137 - Week 20 of 2007.  Give yourself a pat on the back, some well earned credit for all the hard work and time you're devoting your the job, home, family, friends, hobbies, church, and all the many things that occupy a place in your life.  I hope achieving a 'cherished dream' is also on your long 'Things To Do List'.  We spend so many hours out of our day taking care of 'responsibilities' we sometimes forget to 'take care of ourselves and our dreams'.

If you're working hard on a dream - something you'd dearly love to achieve, see, do, learn, create - congratulations, good for you!.  If you're thinking about pursuing a dream, do yourself a favor, take the first step this weekend.  Open your mind to the possibility that you can and will succeed.  Then make a firm decision to pursue that dream one small step at a time, one day at a time.  Define your dream, turn it into a firm, committed resolution, then build a plan chock full of daily goals that will take you all the way to the finish line.  That's the I Resolve To Formula For Success:

Cherished Dream +

Determined Resolution +

Daily Goals =

Achievement, Fulfillment, Success!

So give yourself some credit for all that you've achieved, not only this week, but in your lifetime.  Use those successes to propel yourself on to the next one:  a dream about which you have great desire, interest and passion.  Put an end to the Someday, Someday, Someday Syndrome!

Remember:  I Resolve To Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.  It's your choice.  Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good!  Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who keeps resolutions and enjoys the journey!  Let's Go For It!!

Kim M. Simpson - May 18, 2007
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I Resolve To™ . . . Work Toward My Dreams With Dogged Persistence - Day 136

A Wimpy, mushy attitude won't get you anywhere.  But pursuing your dreams, resolutions and goals with dogged persistance, patience, passion, and a willingness to work hard, 'WILL' take you to the finish line!  We're nearing the end of the week, I hope you're able to give your dream some quality time this weekend.  Give it some thought.  What have you achieved?  What do you need to do next:  tomorrow, next week, next month?  What's working and what's not working?  Are you having fun?  If not, maybe it's time to make a Course Correction or re-think 'what you're doing and why you're doing it'.  All food for thought, as you carve out some quiet time to do a Weekly 'Check In'.  With that in mind, I offer these words of wisdom from some favorite writers . . .

"Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat."  F. Scott Fitzgerald

"I learned never to empty the well of my writing, but always to stop when there was still something there in the deep part of the well, and let it refill at night from the springs that fed it."  Ernest Hemingway

"Life is no brief candle to me.  It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got a hold of at the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations."  George Bernard Shaw  

"Faith is a passionate intuition."  William Wordsworth 

Remember:  I Resolve To Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.  It's your choice.  Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good!  Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who keeps resolutions and enjoys the journey!  Let's Go For It!!

Kim M. Simpson - May 17, 2007
Copyright © I Resolve To™ * All Rights Reserved

"Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat."  F. Scott Fitzgerald

"I learned never to empty the well of my writing, but always to stop when there was still something there in the deep part of the well, and let it refill at night from the springs that fed it."  Ernest Hemingway

"Life is no brief candle to me.  It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got a hold of at the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations."  George Bernard Shaw  

"Faith is a passionate intuition."  William Wordsworth 

"I learned never to empty the well of my writing, but always to stop when there was still something there in the deep part of the well, and let it refill at night from the springs that fed it."  Ernest Hemingway

I Resolve To™ . . . Make Things Happen! - Day 135

Working hard this week?  Working hard is a simple fact of life - you have to know what you want to achieve, then work hard to achieve those dreams, resolutions and goals.  It takes vision, planning, patience, passion, persistence, determination, faith, hope, optimism, and so many more values and ingredients.  Sounds like a pretty tall order, huh?  It doesn't have to be.  Making dreams a reality doesn't have to be so hard, you just need to take things one day at a time, one small step at a time.  The journey and the fulfillment, reward, growth, and happiness that comes with the journey is well worth it.  As you venture down your path, dream in hand and heart I wish you well and offer these words of encouragement.

"You see things and you say, "Why?"  But I dream things that never were; and I say, "Why not?""  George Bernard Shaw

"It's none of their business that you have to learn to write.  Let them think you were born that way."  Ernest Hemingway

"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me"."  Erma Bombeck

Remember:  I Resolve To Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.  It's your choice.  Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good!  Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who keeps resolutions and enjoys the journey!  Let's Go For It!!

Kim M. Simpson - May 16, 2007
Copyright © I Resolve To™ * All Rights Reserved

"You see things and you say, "Why?"  But I dream things that never were; and I say, "Why not?""  George Bernard Shaw

"It's none of their business that you have to learn to write.  Let them think you were born that way."  Ernest Hemingway

"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me"."  Erma Bombeck

I Resolve To™ . . . Make Good Use Of My Time! - Day 134

Just think, 230 more days left in 2007!  There's still plenty of time to make your dream a reality, keep your resolution and achieve your goal.  That's the I Resolve To Formula For Success:

Cherished Dream + Determined Resolution + Daily Goals = Achievement, Fulfillment, Success!

So, how is it going?  Have you been making steady progress?  Have you been working hard to push your dream forward one small step at a time, one day at a time?  Have you been enjoying the journey?  I hope so.  I hope you're making 2007 the year in which you've finally decided to stop procrastinating and have move your cherished dream from the back burner to the front burner.

If you've been procrastinating, you can never regain the time you've lost - but you can make the most of the time you have left!  Don't squander any more of your precious time, it passes far too quickly as it is.  If you're stalled, sitting in 'park' maybe it's time to end put an end to the Someday, Someday, Someday Syndrome!  Lord knows, each one of has to do plenty of things each day that aren't that much fun - they're simply responsibilities that we must take care of because they're part of living.  That's why it's so important to pursue our dreams - those things we've always wanted to do, learn, create, achieve, see, feel. 

Our dreams lend inspiration, happiness, and fulfillment to our lives.  They help us to grow and build self esteem.  They make us happy.  They can make others happy too, depending on the dream.  Best of all pursuing our dreams 'today' enables us to live full lives, and when all is said and done - when our time here on earth is at an end - we won't leave full of regret for all those things we wish we had done!

So make good use of your time.  Don't waste it.  Don't simply respond to the 'In Box' each and every day.  Make some time for you, your dreams, resolutions, and goals.  Even if you fail occasionally, you'll also succeed. Don't let fear of failure or disappointment hold you back.  Those lessons learned can fuel the fire of victories to come!

Remember:  I Resolve To Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.  It's your choice.  Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good!  Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who keeps resolutions and enjoys the journey!  Let's Go For It!!

Kim M. Simpson - May 15, 2007
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I Resolve To™ . . Approach My Week With Optimism! - Day 133

The start of a wonderful new week!  How are you going to use your time during the next seven days?  Are you going to approach it with hope and optimism.  Are you going to believe in yourself and your dreams?  Instead of procrastinating and worrying about potential failure, are you going to move foward with courage and a willingness to work hard.  Instead of simply responding to  the 'In Box' are you going to make some time for yourself, your dream, resolution, goal?  Give it a try. Do something for you this week!  As you begin your journey, I offer these words of encouragement . . .

"First there must be order and harmony within your own mind.  Then this order will spread to your family, then to the community, then to the entire kingdom.  Only then can you have peace and harmony."   Confucius - (551-479 BCE) From 1001 Meditations by Mike George

"Straightaway the ideas flow in upon me, directly from God." Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) from 1001 Meditations by Mike George

"Happiness is A butterfly, which, when pursued is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you sit down quietly, may alight upon you."  Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) from 1001 Meditations by Mike George.

Remember:  I Resolve To Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.  It's your choice.  Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good!  Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who keeps resolutions and enjoys the journey!  Let's Go For It!

Kim M. Simpson - May 14, 2007
Copyright © I Resolve To™ * All Rights Reserved

"First there must be order and harmony within your own mind.  Then this order will spread to your family, then to the community, then to the entire kingdom.  Only then can you have peace and harmony."   Confucius - (551-479 BCE) From 1001 Meditations by Mike George

"Straightaway the ideas flow in upon me, directly from God." Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) from 1001 Meditations by Mike George

"Happiness is A butterfly, which, when pursued is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you sit down quietly, may alight upon you."  Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) from 1001 Meditations by Mike George.

I Resolve To™ . . . Celebrate Mother's Day With A Hug! - Day 132

Happy Mother's Day!  How is your Sunday going?  I hope the answer is 'great'!  Since it's Mother's Day, I thought it would be nice to dedicate my daily post to all the wonderful 'Moms' out there, especially my own.  After all, without them we wouldn't be here.  In my case, I couldn't have achieved all that I have without my Mom, as she helped me to adopt a strong work ethic, a fervent desire to 'do' and make something of myself and my life.  She taught me that I can do anything that I want to do, if I set my heart and mind to it, work hard, and stay focused.  To this day she encourages me to pursue my dreams and I'm thankful for her confidence and faith in me. 

So remember your Mom today.  Do something nice for her - if she doesn't live nearby, give her a call, and a long-distance 'hug'.  It will make your day - and it will make your Mom's day! :)

Remember:  I Resolve To Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.  It's your choice.  Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good!  Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who keeps resolutions and enjoys the journey!  Let's Go For It!!

Kim M. Simpson - May 13, 2007
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I Resolve To™ . . . Live My Dreams! - Day 131

Live your dreams!  Sounds like a big, lofty goal, huh?  Maybe it is, but without our dreams, resolutions and goals we'd be empty shells.  It's our dreams that keep us reaching for the stars.  Our dreams challenge us and make us better people. Our dreams enrich our lives and lead to fulfillment and growth.  Dreams can add magic to an ordinary life. 

Are you pursuing your dreams, or are you putting them off for another day?  When will that day come?  Why not today?  Why not make a deicison to pursue a cherished dream that is but a tiny 'spark' hidden in your heart and soul.  Fuel that spark with hope, optimism, passion, patience, and persistence - and fan the flames for all your worth.  Consider this simple I Resolve To System For Success - Five Simple, Common Sense Steps To Get You Going:

1. Dare To Dream:  Open your mind to the possibility that you will achieve your cherished dream.  If you're not sure how to start, make a list of your 100 Life Resolutions, things that you would love to achieve, create, learn, see, do, feel.  Choose the one about which you have the most passion and interest, then 'Go For It'!
2. Decide:  Make a decision that 2007 is the year that you will pursue your dream.  Don't procrastinate.  Do it today.  Make every day New Year's Day - you can make a resolution and keep it any time of the year.  Put an end to the Someday, Someday, Someday Syndrome!
3. Define:  Define specifically, in one sentence, what you plan to achieve.  Turn your dream into a resolution that is specific, measurable, and can be achieved with small daily steps along a timeline with firm deadlines.
4. Develop a Plan:  Start by thinking small, one day at a time; eventually your plan can be divided into a weekly, monthly, quarterly timeline with specific tasks, deadlines and measureable results.  Do your homework FIRST.  Study, study, study. What are all the necessary steps and ingredients that are necessary to make your dream a reality?  Be determined, but flexible, so you can brainstorm and as you go.  Write it all down in a Daily Resolution Diary, and do daily and weekly Check-Ins, so that you can make Course Corrections when you're veering off track, and reward your hard won victories!
5. Do It Daily:  Spend 30-to-60-minutes each day on your dream, your resolution, your goals for one year.  It's the key to success - it's the key to turning your dream into a Lifetime Resolution that is with you for good!  Keep that dream, resolution, front and center each and every day!

The I Resolve To Formula is any easy way to visualize your journey.  Begin with a cherished dream about which you have great passion and interest.  Turn that dream into a firm, determined resolution, and make a promise to yourself, a commitment to 'Go For It'.  Make your dream, your resolution, a reality with goals - small steps taken one at a time, one day at a time, until you fulfill your dream, keep your resolution, and achieve all your goals. 

Dream + Resolution + Goals = Achievement!

You can do it!  Stop procrastinating.  It's not getting you anywhere.  Stop living the Someday, Someday, Someday Syndrome day after day.  Turn those regrets into rewards:  Lifetime Resolutions!

Remember:  I Resolve To Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.  It's your choice.  Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good!  Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who keeps resolutions and enjoys the journey!  Let's Go For It!!

Kim M. Simpson - May 12, 2007
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I Resolve To™ . . . Enjoy The Weekend! - Day 130

TGIF!  Yes, that wonderful day of the week.  I know I might sound like a broken record every Friday, but I enjoy my weekends, even when I have to do some work during my 'off' time (which unfortunately happens most weekends, but I make the best of it). 

I hope you have some time to yourself.  Do yourself a favor this weekend.  Do something nice for yourself.  Spend some time doing something you really enjoy.  Or just kick back and relax.  But, first - make sure to spend just a little bit of time - maybe 30-minutes or so, 'Checking In' to see where you're at with your dream, resolution, goal.  Page through your journal, pat yourself on the back for your wins, and look forward to your challenges in the days ahead.  With that in mind, I offer these words of encouragement.  Enjoy the weekend!

"Life is the first gift, love is the second, and understanding the third."  Marge Piercy

"When a person responds to the joys and sorrows of others as though they were his own, he or she has attained the highest spiritual union.  "Bhagavad Gita (1st or 2nd Century) from 1001 Meditations by Mike George.

"It is one of the most beautiful compensations in life, that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Remember:  I Resolve To Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.  It's your choice.  Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good!  Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who keeps resolutions and enjoys the journey!  Let's Go for it!

Kim M. Simpson - May 11, 2007
Copyright © I Resolve To™ * All Rights Reserved

"Life is the first gift, love is the second, and understanding the third."  Marge Piercy

"When a person responds to the joys and sorrows of others as though they were his own, he or she has attained the highest spiritual union.  "Bhagavad Gita (1st or 2nd Century) from 1001 Meditations by Mike George.

"It is one of the most beautiful compensations in life, that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself." Ralph Waldo Emerson

I Resolve To™ . . . Fight Fear Of Failure! - Day 129

Fear of failure is a common, but surmountable obstacle, if you're working hard to achieve a dream, resolution, goal.  Fear of failing is a natural part of life.  Unfortunately, putting your heart and soul into a dream, working hard, and believing in yourself doesn't always reap the prize.  It's unpleasant when that happens, but it doesn't mean that you haven't succeeded. 

Achieving a dream doesn't have to be an 'all or nothing proposition'.  What if you reach half of your desired goals - is that failure?  What about the goals that became a reality?  Consider that maybe it will just take a little longer to reach the desired result.  Or maybe it's time to learn your lessons, give yourself a pat on the back, and shift gears so that you can move in a new direction. 

Anyone who has tried to achieve a dream has occasionally been disappointed by inadequate results.  Or been discouraged, embarassed, or bored.  Those feelings happen, but they're not the end of the world, your world.  It's not possible to win every round, but give yourself some credit for the rounds you have won!  It will make the journey a little easier and more enjoyable.  Don't give up.  Don't let your fears turn into round after round of procrastination. Don't give in . . .

Remember:  I Resolve To Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.  It's your choice.  Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good!  Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who keeps resolutions and enjoys the journey!  Let's Go for it!

Kim M. Simpson - May 14, 2007
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I Resolve To™ . . . Be Grateful! - Day 128

Thank You!  Each and every day, I try to thank my lucky stars, my own higher power, and myself for where I am, what I have, what I've achieved because it's a combination of all three that has helped me along my journey.  It takes luck, God's good graces, and your own hard work, talent, and ingenuity to do, to achieve.  With that in mind, I offer these words of gratitude and optimism to you as you meander through your week. . .

"I shut my eyes in order to see." Paul Gaugin

"For my part, I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream." Vincent van Gogh

"All of us have bad luck and good luck.  The man who persists through the bad luck - who keeps going - is the man who is there when the good luck comes - and is ready to receive it.''  Robert Collier

"I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free."   Michelangelo

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."  Henry David Thoreau

Remember:  I Resolve To Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.  It's your choice.  Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good!  Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who keeps resolutions and enjoys the journey!  Let's Go for it!

Kim M. Simpson - May 9, 2007
Copyright © I Resolve To™ * All Rights Reserved

"For my part, I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream." Vincent van Gogh

"All of us have bad luck and good luck.  The man who persists through the bad luck - who keeps going - is the man who is there when the good luck comes - and is ready to receive it.''  Robert Collier

"I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free."   Michelangelo

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."  Henry David Thoreau

"All of us have bad luck and good luck.  The man who persists through the bad luck - who keeps going - is the man who is there when the good luck comes - and is ready to receive it.''  Robert Collier

"I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free."   Michelangelo

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."  Henry David Thoreau

I Resolve To™ . . . Have Some Fun Along My Journey! - Day 127

Have some fun, enjoy your life while you have your youth, your health!  How many times have you heard that from wise friends and family members.  Enjoy your life, now - today - while you still can.  It's such simple advice, yet we get caught up in the pressures of daily life, the drama, the stress.  I know I have to remind myself to kick back and enjoy, to simply relax. Like most folks I'm caught up in the daily rigors of work, family, friends, hobbies, dreams . . .

I recently had lunch with two friends, one of whom has been recovering from a serious illness.  A former runner, careful about his eating habits, he suddenly found himself fighting for his life.  Fortunately he's recovering, an enjoying his life and family once again.  The one thing that he mentioned that I've often heard about individuals who have fought back from life threatening situations is that he's noticing things that he never paid attention to before.  I think it's commonly called 'stopping to smell the roses'.  All I can say is I'm happy that he's on the mend, and that he's finding happiness and fulfillment in his life as he recovers.

It's a lesson for all of us, that is so easy, yet so hard at times, to learn - but it can make all the difference in the world between a life well lived, or a life of regret.  If you're 'putting off' your priorities, your dreams, stop!  You only get one chance and that chance is today, this lifetime.  Stop living the Someday, Someday, Someday Syndrome.  You can make some time for you, your dreams.  You can have some fun along the way, but you have to make a firm decision today to follow that path.

Remember:  I Resolve To Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.  It's your choice.  Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good!  Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who keeps resolutions and enjoys the journey!  Let's Go for it!

Kim M. Simpson - May 8, 2007
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I Resolve To™ . . . Give My Dream Some Quality Time! - Day 126

Amazing how quickly this year is passing!  Not so long ago, we were celebrating New Year's Day, remember that?  Did you make a resolution?  Are you working hard to turn your resolution to reality?  Congratulations if the answer is 'yes'!  Don't despair if the answer is 'no'!  There are 239 days left until New Year's Day 2008.  Plenty of time to get busy, build a plan, and make it happen.  This week spend some 'quality time' with your dream, resolution, goals.  I offer you these words of inspiration as you make the journey . . . Enjoy!

"If one is lucky a solitary fantasy can totally transform one million realities." Maya Angelou

"It is never too late to be what you might have been."  George Eliot

"It's never too late - in fiction or in life - to revise." Nancy Thayer

"No one can arrive from being talented alone.  God gives talent, work transforms talent into genius."  Anna Pavlova

Remember:  I Resolve To Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.  It's your choice.  Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good!  Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who keeps resolutions and enjoys the journey!  Let's Go for it!

Kim M. Simpson - May 7, 2007
Copyright © I Resolve To™ * All Rights Reserved

"If one is lucky a solitary fantasy can totally transform one million realities." Maya Angelou

"It is never too late to be what you might have been."  George Eliot

"It's never too late - in fiction or in life - to revise." Nancy Thayer

"No one can arrive from being talented alone.  God gives talent, work transforms talent into genius."  Anna Pavlova

I Resolve To™ . . . Do Just One Thing At A Time! - Day 125

If you truly want to make and keep a New Year resolution, fulfill a dream, achieve a goal - focus on just ONE at a time.  We live in fast paced, technology-heavy world in which we're told and taught that multi-tasking is a good thing.  We're urged to increase our productivity, do more, more, more.  I see so many articles and self help books that urge folks to focus on and improve every area of their lives - improve your family life, health, career, spirtual life, and so on.  'Do it all and you'll have the best year ever', according to these self help gurus.

A small word of advice, don't try to 'do it all' at once because you'll end up overwhelmed by too much to do (AKA unrealistic expectations), and undewhelmed by too little progress.  You'll give up before you even begin. Give yourself a break.  Treat yourself with a little more kindness.  It's possible to lower the bar just a little and still challenge yourself.  It's wonderful to have a long list of 'dreams' - things you would love to achieve, see, do, be, have, learn, experience.  Those dreams, if you pursue them with a passion (one by one) will help you to live a rich, rewarding, fullfilling life. 

Writing, photography, exercise, and gardening are among my top passions - they're on my Lifetime Resolution List - resolutions that I make and keep for a lifetime.  Writing, photography and exercise are long-held lifetime dreams, I've been working hard at them since I was a kid.  They are permanently on my list of New Year Resolutions.  I try to exercise each day.  I write every day.   Some months I do a lot of photography, other months not as much.  Regardless, I try to take each one of my passions to the next level, year after year.  It's a constant learning process.  As I go, I also add new passions (resolutions) to my list, like gardening.  But I don't try to improve every area of my life every day, it's just not realistic, or possible.

If I'm working on a major life altering resolution, or a major dream - such as writing my book about how to achieve New Year resolutions - I focus on that dream until I complete it.  In 2007 my book, and other tools to help folks achieve their dreams will be completed.  Then I'll take the project to the next level in 2008.  That doesn't mean I quit exercising - it's already part of my daily routine, and not a life-altering resolution.  It's a Lifetime Resolution - I long ago made a commitment to exercise and I intend to honor that commitment day after day, year after year because I enjoy it, it's good for me, and it makes me feel good. 

If you're struggling with your long list of dreams, do yourself a favor:  Pick just one dream about which you have great interest and passion, turn it into a determined resolution, and make it a reality with daily goals . . . that's The I Resolve To Formula For Success.

Dream + Resolution + Goals = Achievement

I'm not suggesting that you quit purusing all your other responsibilities and interests.  I am urging you to make a commitment to work hard each and every day to make your dream a reality in 2007.  Set aside just 30-minutes each day, or a few hours each week; build a plan; create a timeline; and have some fun. 

Remember:  I Resolve To Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.  It's your choice.  Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good!  Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who keeps resolutions and enjoys the journey!  Let's Go for it!

Kim M. Simpson - May 6, 2007
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I Resolve To™ . . . Persevere! - Day 124

Perseverence, Patience, Persistence  . . .  What enables one person to doggedly persist in making and keeping a New Year resolution, while others quit before they even begin?  The answer is probably slightly different for each individual and his or her resolution, but having achieved many of my own resolutions, dreams and goals, I firmly believe there are certain key ingredients, steps, qualities and behaviors that have helped me to succeed. 

1. Possessing a dream about which you have great passion, interest and desire is central to making and keeping a resolution.  You need to know 'what you want and why you want it'.  You must have 'fire in the belly', and 'want' to succeed more than anything else.  To 'give up' is not an option.
2. Creating a realistic plan will tell you 'how and when' to tackle the many goals that will culminate in victory.  A plan will guide the way.  It will enable you to take small daily steps (goals), form a timeline and deadlines, measure success, reward your wins, and make course corrections.  A plan will help you to turn your dream into reality.
3. Keeping your eye on the 'prize' - how you will benefit if you succeed in achieving your dream, resolution, goal - will inspire and motivate you.  Celebrating your successes will also increase motivation.  If you're having fun, enjoying the journey, receiving fulfillment and pleasure, you're much more likely to continue day after day.  Success breeds success.  Your energy and enthusiasm will grow along with your confidence, self esteem, and knowledge.
4. Maintaining a Daily Resolution Diary, and Calendar will help to keep you accountable.  Checking In will also hlep you to build your plan and plot your timeline.  When you see weeks and months of progress - in black and white - you'll want to continue the journey day after day, and make your resolution a Lifetime Resolution that is with you for good.
5. Anticipating and planning for obstacles - and overcoming each and every obstacle - will also build confidence.  It's easy to get discouraged by obstacles thrown at us by 'Life's Events', as well as those that we create ourselves (fear of success, fear of failure, setting the bar too high, having unrealistic expectations, getting overwhelmed by unrealistic goals, and so on).  On those tough days you just have to keep optimism, faith and hope alive - know that a new day is coming, things will get better.

Personally, I'm pretty stubborn, determined, and rarely give up easily - all traits that have served me well more often than not.  Those traits, and the qualities/behaviors that I listed above have helped me to earn college degrees; excel at sports, photography, and writing; build a business.  They're helping me to write a book and puruse my dream to help people to achieve their dreams.  If you believe anything is possible . . . then the possibilities are infinite and achievable.

Remember:  I Resolve To Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.  It's your choice.  Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good!  Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who keeps resolutions and enjoys the journey!  Let's Go for it!

Kim M. Simpson - May 5, 2007
Copyright © I Resolve To™ * All Rights Reserved

I Resolve To™ . . . Celebrate My Wins! - Day 123

TGIF!  Yes that wonderful day of the week - the weekend is almost here!  If you've been working hard on a dream, resolution, goal - make some time to celebrate your wins this weekend.  When you do your weekly Check In, consider all your achievements.  Don't dwell on all the tasks you have left to do.  Instead, take a break this weekend and do something nice for yourself for working so hard. Celebrate your wins! Then, rather that resting on your laurels, get busy next week and rack up some new achievements!  I offer these words of inspiration for the weekend ahead . . .

"Carpe diem!  Rejoice while you are alive; enjoy the day; live life to the fullest; make the most of what you have.  It is later than you think."  Horace - Ancient Roman Poet (65 BC - 8 BC) - From Thinkexist.com

"Courage doesn't always roar.  Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow.""  Mary Anne Radmacher

"I think we all have a little voice inside us tha will guide us.  It may be God, I don't know.  But I think that if we shut out all the noise and clutter from our lives and listen to that voice, it will tell us the right thing to do."  Christopher Reeve

Remember:  I Resolve To Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.  It's your choice.  Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good!  Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who keeps resolutions and enjoys the journey!  Let's Go for it!

Kim M. Simpson - May 4, 2007
Copyright © I Resolve To™ * All Rights Reserved

"Carpe diem!  Rejoice while you are alive; enjoy the day; live life to the fullest; make the most of what you have.  It is later than you think."  Horace - Ancient Roman Poet (65 BC - 8 BC) - From Thinkexist.com

"I think we all have a little voice inside us tha will guide us.  It may be God, I don't know.  But I think that if we shut out all the noise and clutter from our lives and listen to that voice, it will tell us the right thing to do."  Christopher Reeve

I Resolve To™ . . . Treasure My Dream!

"If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps life moving, you lose that courage to be, that quality that helps you go on in spite of it all.  And so today I still have a dream."  Martin Luther King, Jr.

I Resolve To™ . . . Focus On My Dreams - Day 122

What if today was all you had?  Just today.  What would you do with it?  What would your perfect day be, what would it include?  No responsibilities, no other worries - your assignment would be to simply enjoy today.  I've often thought about those questions, as I've worked to build a common-sense system that enables folks to achieve their dreams, resolutions, goals.  When you ask yourself a question, or series of questions like that they can help you to define your priorities.  Sometimes simple questions like that can help a person to focus and to crystallize dreams. 

My perfect day would probably include a long walk on the beach with someone dear, a long swim, great coffee in a cozy coffee shop, a wonderful dinner with great wine and good conversation, music, a great book, time spent shooting photos, a long bike ride on a country road. When I look at my own list for a 'perfect day', it includes normal everyday things that I already do.  I guess I'm pretty easy to please.

These questions are similar, in my mind, to that often asked question:  what would you do if you won the lottery?  I long ago figured out if I won the lottery, I'd be doing pretty much what I already do without the money:  write, work, photograph, create, exercise, garden, travel, spend time with friends and family. I guess the money would remove concerns about paying paying the mortgage and health care costs, which would be nice, but I don't have to win the lottery to be happy. 

I firmly believe that achieving, striving, creating, learning, doing, stretching our minds and bodies is what keeps human beings going.  The challenges of life keep us moving in a forward direction, one footfall after another.  Personally, I love the creative process.  I enjoy my business and my work, my friends, family, my solitude, my hobbies.  I guess the one thing I wish I had more of is 'time', and winning the lottery can't really help in that regard.

My point here is that I really believe that it's important for a peson to identify his/her priorities - dreams, resolutions, goals - and pursue them with a passion, rather than getting caught up in the Someday, Someday, Someday Syndrome, which leads to a lifetime of regret for all the things that you didn't do. 

If you have dreams that are languishing on the backburner pull out a notebook and pen.  Sit down right now, brainstorm and write down the 100 things that you truly want to achieve, learn, create, do, see, be, have before you die.  Pick one dream from that list that you truly want to begin work on today.  Desire and keen interest are very important.  Pick a dream that you've secretly wanted to pursue for a long time. Stop procrastinating.  Making a simple decision to act, and doing it, will probably be huge relief if your dream has been on the backburner for a long time.  Beyond that the rewards can be incredible.  Making a dream a reality is one of the most rewarding achievements in the world.  Be passionate, patient and persisent and you will succeed!

If you aren't determined to keep your priorities front and center, you will constantly be Overtaken By Events. Half the challenge is making time for yourself.  The other half is creating a workable plan, timeline and deadlines, and staying committed for the long-haul.

Remember:  I Resolve To Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.  It's your choice.  Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good!  Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who keeps resolutions and enjoys the journey!  Let's Go for it!

Kim M. Simpson - May 3, 2007
Copyright © I Resolve To™ * All Rights Reserved

I Resolve To™ . . . Keep My Priorities Straight! - Day 121

There is so much to do in any given day - how keep your priorities front and center?  Given the hectic pace of an ordinary day for most folks, it's not always easy, or possible, to achieve that goal.  The 'In Box' and the flood of responsibilities (work, family, friends, etc.) often becomes the priority. The squeakiest wheel gets the oil, as the old saying goes.  The crisis of the moment, the most pressing deadline, or responsibility snags and holds your attention.  You know the feeling:  Overtaken By Events - OBE!

Some days you just have to recognize that you do have to set your priorities - your dream, resolution, goal - aside because of the crush of other responsibilities. But the key to achieving your dream is to make that the exception, not the norm.  Here are Seven I Resolve To Tips For Keeping Your Priorities Straight - Keeping Your Dreams Front And Center:

1. Work on one major dream/resolution at a time.  If you're working on more than one major dream, you're likely to get overwhelmed, and discouraged when you're not making progress on all of the priorities that you set.  It's fine to have 10 or 100 dreams that you'd love to achieve in a lifetime - just work on one at a time, and keep them for a lifetime.
2. Make a point to spend 20-30-minutes each and every day working on your dream:  take one small step each and every day.  Achieve one small goal each and every day by scheduling time for yourself and your dream each day, and know what task you plan to complete. 
3. At the end of the day know what you plan to achieve the next day.  What is your goal, task for the next day?
4. Each weekend review your progress, reward yourself for your wins, and think ahead to the coming week.  What are the seven goals you plan to achieve?  What are the tasks you hope to complete?
5. Keep a daily journal.   Whether on a blog, in a spiral notebook, or in a leather bound journal, whatever works best for you - just make sure to build your plan, record your achievements, and plot your future tasks daily.  That way you won't lose sight of your goal.  If you're checking in every single day, it's pretty hard to lose sight of what you've achieved, and what you hope to achieve.  A journal and a wall calendar can help to keep you accountable and on track.
6. Find a friend or colleague who shares your dream and enjoy the journey as a 'team'.  Schedule time to work together and keep each other motivated.
7. Learn, learn, learn!  Schedule a class to increase your knowledge base.  Hit your local bookstore or library to learn more about your dream, and the steps that it will take to achieve it.  If your dream is to lose weight and maintain a healthy diet - educate yourself, so that you can insert healthy eating habits and exercise into your day, each and every day.  Forget about short term fad diets, learn what you need to do to build a healthy diet and exercise plan, and lose that weight for a lifetime.

If you aren't determined to keep your priorities front and center, you will constantly be Overtaken By Events. Half the challenge is making time for yourself.  The other half is creating a workable plan, timeline and deadlines, and staying committed for the long-haul.

Remember:  I Resolve To Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.  It's your choice.  Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good!  Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who keeps resolutions and enjoys the journey!  Let's Go for it!

Kim M. Simpson - May 2, 2007
Copyright © I Resolve To™ * All Rights Reserved

I Resolve To™ . . . Use May Day To Start Anew! - Day 120

Happy May Day!  How about using the energy of Spring and the upcoming summer months to launch a beloved dream? If you're already working hard to achieve that dream, good for you!  Why not turn that energy into new motivation to keep going - to continue working hard day after day?  With that in mind, I offer you these words of inspiration on May Day 2007 . . .

"If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps life moving, you lose that courage to be, that quality that helps you go on in spite of it all.  And so today I still have a dream." Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations.  I may not reach them but I can lookup and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow them." Louisa May Alcott

"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all." Dale Carnegie

Remember:  I Resolve To Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.  It's your choice.  Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good!  Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who keeps resolutions and enjoys the journey!  Let's Go for it!

Kim M. Simpson - May 1, 2007
Copyright © I Resolve To™ * All Rights Reserved

"If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps life moving, you lose that courage to be, that quality that helps you go on in spite of it all.  And so today I still have a dream." Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations.  I may not reach them but I can lookup and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow them." Louisa May Alcott

"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all." Dale Carnegie