Monday Dare (& Giveaway): Big Things Poppin’

Every week, I challenge myself to a Monday Dare. Click on the link to see the complete list of Monday Dares or to learn more about its origin.

This week: Think big. Follow through.

I’m not bogged down by trivial factors such as time or money or skill or reality when I’m setting bold plans for the future.

Every year between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, I budget ten or so minutes each day to think about the upcoming year. I sit on the pristine hardwood floor of my meditation room in an organic hemp tunic and spritz a little lavender water into the air before I close my eyes and focus on my breathing. Then, I unwrap a preserved cherry blossom branch from virgin wool and trace my intentions for the New Year in the air. The words may be invisible to the eye, but they are engraved onto my soul.

I have no idea what I just wrote, but clearly, my make-believe skills are off the chain.

Do I look like someone who would shell out for organic clothing? I AIN’T ABOUT THAT LIFE. I just mute the TV during commercial breaks and scribble some shit on the back of a Cap’n Crunch box.

I ping pong between big lofty goals and smaller doable ones. (Sidenote: I just spent seven minutes rooting around on Google to figure out if “ping pong” needed a hyphen, but it was all very confusing, so I finally said fuck it and gave up.)

Last year, my list looked something like this:

1. Become a kinder, gentler, more compassionate person.
2. Be the kind of mom Cal deserves.
3. Be the kind of wife Harv deserves.
4. Treat my physical body with care by working out daily and eating healthier.

By New Year’s Eve, I had revised the list a little:

1. Become a kinder, gentler, more compassionate person
   Stop referring to everyone as “bitch”
2. Be the kind of mom Cal deserves
   Pick Cal up from school on time every day once in a while
3. Be the kind of wife Harv deserves
   Quit threatening to set Harv’s electronics on fire when he brings home the wrong flavor of Sun Chips
4. Treat my physical body with care by working out daily and eating healthier
   Drink less soda once a month season

I didn’t fulfill a single goal. Failure was an eye-opener for me this year. I figured out that it doesn’t really matter how low I set the bar if I don’t have follow-through. I plan to THINK BIG for 2013. And I intend to do whatever the fuck it takes to taste success. I assume this is going to require hard work. I hate hard work. I hate breaking a sweat. I hate cuffed shorts. That doesn’t really fit, but I’m pretty passionate about cuffs.

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I FUCKING LOVE PRESENTS giveaway #6

I fucking love presents. Maybe you do too. To celebrate this holiday season, I’ll be doing a giveaway each week until the end of the year. Get connected on the Flourish in Progress Facebook page and on Instagram (username: flourishinprogress) for giveaway updates, not-seen-on-this-blog pictures, (t)hug life thoughts, and other random shit.

This week: Whatever Your Little Heart Desires (Um, under $50)

There’s a high likelihood that you’re not going to get everything you want on your Holiday Wish List. I’m not trying to be a Debbie Downer. I’m just trying to look out for your fragile little heart when you open up a hand-knit mug cozy instead of that diamond necklace you wanted.

Welp, I’m not going to give you a diamond necklace either, but if you’ve got something lingering on your Wish List ,and it costs less than $50, and it’s easy to purchase online, and it’s an actual item (not a gift card), then it’s yours.

TO ENTER: Leave a comment below with a hope/wish/goal for 2013. Only comments left on THIS POST qualify.

LAST WEEK’S BESOTTED CUSTOM STAMP WINNER: Brittany Rae (the word “peace” is in your email address) please email me at elizabeth at flourishinprogress dot com with your mailing address.

first image via knockknockstuff.com