Text Messages from Diana

Me: I have a Dutch Baby with your name on it over here.

D: I am on my way in about 5 minutes. The toilet is holding me hostage.

Me: Do I need to send a ransom?

D: I think it's holding out for Charmin.

Me: I'll put 6 rolls in a paper bag and drop them on the corner of 274 and Porter Grade.

D: Sounds like a plan...I'm in the middle of negotiations now. I think we have an agreement.

Me: Good. Tell them I will be there at 10:00 sharp.

D: I think I can hold out until then. The ring imprint doesn't hurt yet.

Me: Hehe.

D: Don't pay the ransom. I got away.

Me: Oh thank goodness! Didn't know where I was gonna come up with those kind of rolls.

My JudgeyPants Are Getting A Bit Tight

Hi, I'm Val and I am a Snap Judger.

When I meet someone new, my mind almost always forms an immediate opinion of them. Funny, perky, loud, obnoxious, shy, closed off, closed minded, asshole, friendly, too friendly...the list goes on and on. I think most people do this, so I know I am not alone.

My problem is, until you prove me wrong, I will most likely continue to think of you the same way I did when we first met. It doesn't matter if other people tell me differently about you. It will take some convincing to get me to change my mind.

And I might not even give you a chance. I might just stay so firmly stuck to what I believe to be true about you that I won't give you the opportunity to show me just how wrong I am.

In other words, I'm stubborn. And I wonder how many friendships I have missed out on because of my stubbornness.

This is an aspect of my personality I am working on. It's a process, for sure. And hopefully, being a little more open and a little less judgey will help me to reach my goal of fulfillment in this new year.

2014: The Year of Fulfillment

Last year, instead of making New Year's resolutions, I came up with a word for the year. For 2013, that word was "reconnect." I will admit, I didn't always keep that word in mind throughout the year. I know I should have written it down on Post-It notes, on my dry erase board in the kitchen, maybe at the top of each page of my calendar, just to make myself more mindful of what I should be focusing on.

I did reconnect with a few people and things and I feel better for it. My reconnection with my faith in God has really made the biggest difference out of everything else. I have been able to give things over to Him, instead of holding them inside and stewing over them. I have also made new friends, and reconnected with old ones, because of my renewed faith. I couldn't ask for anything more than what God has already given me, although I know he has great things in store for me in the years to come.

And that brings me to the word I have chosen for 2014. FULFILLMENT. This word is defined as "satisfaction or happiness as a result of fully developing one's abilities or character." 

I have spent entirely too many years of my life doing things because I felt like I ought to be doing them. I have worked jobs that were not helping me to move forward towards my goals and life dreams. I have ignored my passion for the sake of a paycheck. 

This year will be different. I will focus on those hobbies and tasks that fulfill me. Writing, painting, drawing, baking, photography, volunteering. I will learn more about each of these, with the goal of improvement and development always in mind. And I will share my talents with others, to help them reach their goals as well.

I will also continue to focus on deepening my faith, on finding ways that I can continue to grow as a Christian, and finding ways to show God's love to those around me.

I realize, as this year begins, that it is easy to say things like this on January 1. The whole year lays in front of me like a blank journal and I just need to pick up the pen and get to writing. I'm planning to document my progress throughout the year. And I'll not be afraid to admit if I make a misstep. I will share those, too. The good and the bad, they make up who I am, and they will help to move me forward into the best year of my life.