Taking Care of #1

I begin writing to you with an open heart, and truly a clear mind. For the first time in two years, I have been afforded the mental clarity to be able to sit down and actually articulate ideas, beliefs, concepts that I find important and relevant to the purpose and audience of my blog.

First and foremost, if you've made it to reading this very line, I would like to say: Thank you. It's been two years since I have written or published my last post on my blog. When I started my Graduate program at Saint Joseph's University in 2014, I never intended on taking a hiatus from writing for A Hectic Life Refocused. However, as with the name, life became just that...Insurmountably hectic. I needed to juggle working full time, adapting to a new life and new culture living in the rural south, planning lessons, taking care of my dog Hank during his post-surgical recovery, all while dealing with an immense loss of a loved one while completing graduate school. Like with many of my posts, the important message to take from life when it does seem so insurmountable; prioritize.

#1 Yourself

New readers may read that and think "how self absorbed." Contrary, the truth is that we live in an ever growing society of American culture that is quick to label, judge, condemn, dismiss....If you note nothing from the aforementioned list, it's all negative in not only connotation but also reality. While I take great pride in being American, and a self-proclaimed-modern-day Patriot at that, much of that is derived from the freedoms we've been afforded through the principals in which this country was created upond. I don't intend on expanding too much beyond this but I think it's important to preface on my first post in two years. This blog, two years later is meant for people who are motivated enough by life to seek opportunities to better themselves, vessels in which will support them through the times that might appear overly challenging, and to know that in the every existence of our overly-Americanized cultural practices, that even the most intrinsically motivated individual will find him/herself at a crossroads at any given point in their life. And to this, my blog was created as a means in which provides opportunities to derive new means external motivation, refreshed perspective and support in their physical, mental and spiritual journey to living and leading a healthy and productive life.

Blog post/topic email inquiries are, as always, welcomed with an open mind and heart. 

P.S. Photo/video updates coming soon. Check back!

(***If you're really that interested in hearing more of my thoughts on the subject, I encourage you to email me directly) 

Let's Get Realistic

After last weeks post, I got a lot of inquiries about how to pick a resolution that is attainable but also realistic. Here are a few bits of advice:

Choose a Goal That Aligns With Your Existing Passion(s) A lot of the goals I set for myself come from things that already exist within my own life, and just happen to be goals that I would like to improve on or simply take to the next level. For instance running, and academics. While most people tend to get caught up in their everyday life of work and home life... A resolution can come from something as simple as this.

For example, maybe you don't love your job, why not make a goal to find a way to improve the work environment or even boost job place moral? Something as simple as planning a quarterly "get together" can really bring people together in and outside of the workplace environment. This can be something as simple as an informal gathering where y'all simply unwind. This can be done at home, but it's typically is best to reserve these types of gatherings for public places until everyone becomes more well acquainted. Restaurants are a great starting point (and you'd be surprised how many will cut you a break on the bill if you bring enough people in routinely!) We did this at my last place of employment and I can truly say it added to the experience of seeing the same faces some 40+ hours per week.

Enjoying lunch with one of my colleagues and a former student

A family goal could translate many ways. From something as simple as spending more quality time together by holding a mandatory Sunday dinner, to getting to know and accept the differences of a family member for the better. Let's face it-- we can't choose the family we're born into so why not taking the time to understand where the differences stem from instead of being so dismissive and judgmental. You only have one life to share, why not spend the time to fill it with meaning?

Enjoying a visit from my Papa Petz

If You Don't Know What Your Passions Are--Do a Little Soul Searching. I know this sounds a little cheesy, but a lot of where passion comes from derives from taking the time to really get to know and understand yourself. For those of you who tend to just "go with the flow"... Spend some time literally going with the flow attending a yoga class or two. All puns aside, this is a serious piece of advice because it will force you to get antiquated with yourself, and you will start to notice certain things about yourself you might not have previously paid any attention to.

Never in a million years did I think I would consider "blogging" or "instagramming" a passion---errr or at least something I enjoy. But social media has allowed me a great outlet to be able to reach out to and inspire a number of people, while also helping me to maintain focus and find new inspiration of my own. It's also helped me to create some unexpected, yet amazing friends in the process. Huge shout out to Rich V! 

2014 Marine Corps 1/2 Marathon- I bumped into a long time IG follower (@runningwithrich)

Make A List- Check It More Than Twice! It might sound like a pun- but it's true. Whenever I am setting new goals I always right them down. This way it's documented, and it serves as a reminder as what my intentions are. Checking it more than twice is important. Without the reminder it's easy to get off course, and completely omit achieving the new goal.

Now that you've taken the time to explore yourself and your interests- Make the list! Write down things you find interesting, try them! Call it a bucket list if you need to. Commit to trying one new thing a month (and sticking with it!) you'll be surprised very quickly at how many new things you discover that you never though you'd enjoy! A few years back I did this... I tried so many new things, and these experiences truly bettered me as a person because each encounter forced me to get out of my comfort zone and ultimately explore new things I now enjoy doing routinely.

The most important thing is not to read this post literally. The idea is to keep an open mind with your intentions. Setting a goal too specific will only leave you frustrated and defeated. Don't be shy or afraid to try new things. Remember to keep things in perspective and start with things that are familiar to you... As long as you have a plan, you'll be amazed at how little all the little things you do will add up in the long run towards meeting your big goal. 

I'd love to hear some of the goals out there, so feel free to post below! Happy New Year y'all!

New Year Intentions: The Goals Ahead

Pay down most, if not all personal debt (excluding federal student loans) Yes, I am human, and I have debt. It's the hideous little part of my life that I despise, but have come to realize that when the worst of life happens...It's sort of part of why it's there. I've never been one to have a frivolous spending problems. Yes, I like nice things, but most always I will never pay full value for it. Otherwise my rule is that I can't afford it. Credit to me is not something to be used because I want something badly and can't afford it. For me, it's been a crutch during hard times. While most people might argue that this is not 'healthy' and that someone financially responsible would have funds for even the worst events saved, it's not always possible. As a result of this, combined with the fact that this coming year I will have held the occupation of "student" for more of my existence than now; I have debt, albeit manageable. 

Put myself in a position of buying a home Paying off most if not all of my debt will inevitably lead to my ability to be able to purchase a home. Other than the debt, my income is stable and my credit healthy.

PR on Marathon pace Having completed a marathon in 2014 was one of my biggest goals to date. While there are people out there who run marathons for a living, there are many times that I face the fact that at 5"1, and a rather athletic build for my frame; my body is not "ideally" built for running. This year I will be turning 29---yes folks believe it or not  I will be inching near thirty this year despite my incredibly youthful appearance (I attribute my athleticism to this---try it!) I would like to ideally come close to the 4:00 marathon finish, and train this year so as to avoid the occurrence of an injury per-marathon. So far it's an uphill battle since I am still recovering from an annoying injury from the Marine Corps Marathon.

SO WHAT'S MY PLAN?
As far as debt, despite the fact that I already work full time, on top of attending Grad school, I would like to find a second job. Something I can either do from home, or on my own time to earn the extra income. Some ideas I've tossed around include online advising for higher ed, selling custom furniture, professional organizing and/or home redecorating. Additionally, I would like to create cash budgets for necessity items and get away from using debit cards so much. Doing this, I hope, will allow me to be more realistic with my spending habits.

Buying a home is the easy part....Finding the right fit for me will be the diamond in the rough.

Why a New Years Resolution Isn't So Bad After All

A year ago... I set my intentions for the year ahead. While many people call this setting a resolution...I call it setting an intention. A former colleague and mentor of mine, Brian Heffernan wisely challenges his junior and senior high school students with the question:

 "Where are you going and how are you going to get there? It doesn't matter where you're going, you've got to have a plan, and then a back up for that plan when things don't go your way, and a back up for that back up."

Brian always has a way of forcing people to think beyond the chaos. When a hell storm comes roaring your way, you've still always got to have a plan of what it is you're trying to accomplish, and what your plan of attack is going to be.

Last December, I sat down and asked myself where I saw myself in twelve months. What are my intentions? Resolutions don't fail because because people don't try, resolutions fail because people fail to plan how they're going to achieve their goal. Intentions remind us what the goal is. The goal reminds us that we need a plan, and the plan helps us achieve the goal.

So did I meet the expectations set for my intention? More importantly did I make my goal?

My biggest goals for 2014 were as follows:

• Becoming a Personal Trainer
• Gaining employment as a Lead Teacher
• Run Stronger
• Running my first full Marathon

Personal Training In January 2014, I accepted a position to work the gym that I grew up training in. I couldn't have been more over the moon. While I succeeded to meet this intention and make my goal, I also realized that personal training didn't quite give me the same gratification that I get when I meet a fitness goal personally. I wanted to train people who had big goals in mind, were as motivated as I am, and who wouldn't stop at anything until they made that goal. While I spent time training a plethora of clients, and made some incredible friends while helping them meet their own goals in the process, it just wasn't fulfilling what I had set out the achieve with becoming a Personal Trainer. So, I decided to shift my efforts elsewhere, and keep my eye on my own training.

Becoming a Lead Teacher In June 2014, after two amazing years at Hingham High School, I resigned from my position as a TA, and accepted a full time teaching position at a school for Autism. While the experience helped me grow as an individual, it was not where I saw myself long term. I held it out through the end of September, when I accepted a full-time job teaching Moderate Special Education (Math) in North Carolina. While I miss my kids at HHS tremendously, it has been a wonderful experience, so far, teaching my own class. I learn just as much (if not more) from teaching my kids everyday, and it is a very rewarding career.

Run Stronger A lot of people probably wonder what the measure of achievement is for a goal like this. For me, it was to run strong, and not necessarily faster. Lucky for me, stronger did in fact mean faster. I PR'd my half marathon this year, running 13.1 miles in 1:55 minutes---shaving an incredible 9 minutes off my former PR of 2:04. Words can't describe how ecstatic I was crossing the finish line, and being able to share that experience with my roommate, Nicole who surprised me at the finish line.

Run 26.2 In October I ran the Marine Corps Marathon. While I didn't set out to achieve it in any specific time, I aimed (uninjured) at finishing in 4:00:00 & under, and (injured) 4:30:00. Just three weeks out from running the Marathon, I became injured. Finishing at 4:43 for a first marathon---injured, I'm feeling pretty good about next year's running season.

VERDICT
While I am not still actively training clients, and while I've transitioned from one teaching job to another in search for the "perfect" fit, I still feel great about all that I'd set out to accomplish over the last year. I feel good about the intentions that I set, and satisfied with having met the goals I set out to achieve a year ago. Intentions and goals are made to be realistic, if you have a goal and a plan, and the right amount of motivation--anything is possible. Don't be afraid of putting yourself out there and failing. Be afraid of not putting yourself out there without a plan and failing.