Happy Saturday! I hope you're planning to make time for yourself this weekend . . . to relax, enjoy, have a few laughs, and perhaps do a bit of daydreaming about all the wonderful possibilities. There are 
still 137 days left in 2008, plenty of time to take a good hard look at your dreams, resolutions and daily goals - what you have achieved and what you plan to achieve in days to come.
One of my motto's here at IResolveTo.Com is: Be A Resolutionista - Make Resolutions, Keep Resolutions, Enjoy The Journey! When you follow your dreams, the path leads to a life fulfilled, rather than a life of regret. That's why I show up here pretty much every single day, to chronicle my journey and to urge others to make their own journey toward their dreams. Showing up here helps me to chronicle my ups, downs and everything in between - one small step at a time, one day at a time. Writing things down and evaluating my progress keeps me accountable, stokes my enthusiasm and generates momentum, all very important ingredients if you want to achieve and succeed.
On Saturdays, I make a special effort to tally my accomplishments for the week, build a 'To Do List' for the coming week, brainstorm new ideas for coming months, and learn a few new things about what it will take to achieve my dreams, resolutions and daily goals (and take them to the next level once I've checked all the 'To Do's' off my list).
Bottom Line: I take dreams, resolutions and daily goals very seriously, but I try to have fun along the way - enjoy myself as I make the journey. If you do too, or if you want to learn some common sense 'How To's, visit the I Resolve To . . . Toolkit:
In 2008, I made a personal commitment to 'show gratitude for all that I have and all that I am by giving back in four areas of my life':
- Walk 60 miles for the Washington, DC Breast Cancer 3-Day and raise $3000.
- Volunteer at a Virginia Horse Rescue Farm.
- Learn more about how to combat Global Warming and take action!
- Engage in PreMeditated Acts Of Kindness.
With 4 1/2 months left in the year there is plenty of time to achieve my 2008 'gratitude resolution', and keep the forward momentum going on my Lifetime Resolutions, which include exercise, my resolution project (new product designs, columns, E-Books, Audio Books, and a book). Here is the status of my efforts this week, as well as a look forward:
- I sent a final E-Mail pitch to friends and colleagues today to raise an additional $250 for my 3-Day Walk, which will bring me to my goal raising $3000 myself and more than $5000 for my team. I'm lifting weights, working in the yard, swimming, and walking pretty much every day. I alternate my walking and swimming, so that I am not doing too much in one day. I need to get to 27+ miles per week and do two back-to-back walks that total close to 20 miles. I have 48 days left (six-and-a- half weeks) between now and the start of the 3-Day walk, so I really need to get in gear and start walking around seven miles at least four days each week. Yes, lots to do, but the good news is that I've gathered most of the gear that I need for the walk. I plan to pack my bag and get everything ready to go Labor Day weekend.
- Due to my May surgery, I've been holding off on volunteering at a Virginia Horse Rescue Farm. I'm leaning toward sponsoring a colt for a $300 contribution at a nearby horse rescue farm - Eagle Hill Farm - and lending a hand as well in October, November and December.
- I continue to move forward with my 'Give The Boot To Your Carbon Footprint' Project. I'm continuing my research and brainstorming new ideas. I try to conserve energy by shutting off lights/computers etc., am down to near zero plastic bags when I shop, am driving as little as possible, conserving water, and so on. The good news for my summer conservation goal(s) is that I'm on my way toward creating my own recycling system (since I can't get a trash hauler to serve my house). I have my first bag of plastic bottles, phone books, etc. which I plan to deliver to the Spotsylvania County Recycle Center - and I'm working on my first batch of magazines that I plan to take to Friends Of The Library later this month. Newspapers are next. The trick is to put together a system that is simple and won't take a lot of time, maybe two trips to the recycling center each month, otherwise I won't want to do it, my schedule is so full as it is.
- PreMeditated Acts of Kindness - a daily effort to be conscious about my words, gestures and actions (how I treat others and myself) is on track. It is becoming a habit to be much more conscious of what I am saying and doing - and to try to insert more kindness toward others into each and every day. It's time to do some brainstorming about creative ways to reach out to others, particularly around the holidays in November and December.
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 in five simple, common sense steps: Dare To Dream, Decide, Define, Develop A Plan, and Do It Daily. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good! Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who makes resolutions, keeps resolutions, and enjoys the journey! Let's Go For It!
Need More Inspiration? Wear Your Resolution! Make Every Day New Year's Day. Make Every Day Count. Visit my resolution shop by clicking this link: http://www.cafepress.com/iresolveto
Kim M. Simpson - August 16, 2008
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To Our Carbon Footprints'. In 2008 my New Year 
