+ throw kindness around like confetti
I think this went fairly well. It is very easy to become consumed or absorbed in our little worlds, ignoring those around us that we interact with but do not inhabit our regular orbits. I tried to go out of my way to make small talk with strangers, offering more than just a smile, and continuing the conversation were it fruitful. I also tried to acknowledge and thank service people with more genuine thanks than I have before. Going out to eat with two young kids is not always a cake walk, but when servers take the time to offer extra crayons or water with a straw and lid, it means a lot. On the whole, I feel like I achieved this goal.
+ try new things
Well, we did attend a symphony this year, which was positively lovely! Plus, it's an annual benefit function, so we plan to make it an annual thing, and I'm glad we made that initial leap. In terms of experiences, I tried more adventurous outings with my kids, ditching the stroller and being spontaneous, subscribing less and less to the rigidity of routines like nap time, which has allowed us some spur of the moment adventures.
+ build an exercise habit
Um...yeah, this not so much. I tried, and I have been exercising, though I'm still far from calling it a "habit."
+ give back
I ended up giving back in unexpected ways. I'm on the board of a local moms group and this year I was the philanthropy chair. I helped organize an adopt-a-family at Christmas and we sponsored a student at one of our local elementary schools for the 2017-2018 school year. Our club provided this student with a large donation of items each season (short sleeves for spring, winter coats for winter, you get the idea). Also did a marble jar with my kids which we call "Kindness Marbles." When they are caught being kind, a marble goes in the jar. Upon filling the jar, we counted the marbles and assigned each marble the value of a dime. Instead of spending this money, we talked about selecting organizations where we could put our kindness back into the world. I had my kids pick who they wanted to give back to since collecting the kindness marbles had been their effort. They selected "building houses for people" and "babies," which led us to give back to Habitat for Humanity and March of Dimes.
+ bake something every week
Ha...also didn't happen. I had some unexpected health things emerge this year, including gallbladder removal surgery. This and some dietary changes made baking low on the priority list.
+ put away my phone
Yes, I think I've done better this year, but there is always room to improve in this area.
2018 goals coming soon...
Past goals for 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008
