Countdown of 2014

The flipping of the calendar to October.

The colder weather and seeing a minus in the forecast.

The discussion of 100 days left of the year.

Leaves falling to the ground.

Embracing the earlier sunset and later sunrise.

As each moment passes, it becomes reality that 2014 is coming to an end.

My friends have been discussing the final 100 days of 2014 - some even creating a challenge for the final days of the year.  I am not quite that ambitious as I come out of my 30 day challenge in September.  However, I am looking at the year I had declared as the "Year of Me" and think of what I have done and what I still wish to accomplish before another year ends.  

I have travelled to Bali where I spent time with 8 other women in a retreat and then 5 other women exploring the country and the culture.

I moved to an apartment I had only ever dreamed of - fireplace and outdoor space included.

I hiked in the backcountry of the Rocky Mountains for a week, spending an entire 24-hours alone.

I have read, I have learned, I have spent time on me.

There is so many things I have learned this year - deep things, simple things, meaningful things.

However, the one thing that I still struggle with is getting into a fitness and health regime that I find sustainable - that I love and appreciate and can do with ease.

This brings me to yesterday - the start of the final quarter of the year and October 1st.  I went to the gym and found a new trainer to work with.  The goal - work on the knee pain problem and get back to activities that I love - "find Healing and  Hotness" is actually how I phrased it.  I want to spend the final 3 months of the year healing my body, mind and heart .... and if I can find my way back into those sassy jeans I bought - that would be an extra bonus.  

My October is littered with fun adventures and I am ready to find the enjoyment and love in life.  I want to take these last 3 months in the declared "Year of Me" and finalize the process I started on January 1st.  I know that I will continue to grow and evolve after this year.  Successes and struggles  will continue to make life more entertaining; however, this year was about really choosing to put me first, focus on re-building my foundation, and finding my love for life again.

As I enter into the last 100 days (well less then that now) - I am committed to my exploration of love and passion - in life, fitness, food and even relationships.  

As I journey these last three months - my goal is to write about my explorations, my adventures, my love, my passion ... to continue to inspire myself to stay still long enough to listen to the next step in moving forward. I would love for others to join along on my journey - for travelling together is so much better than travelling alone.

Wisdom Wednesday - Excellence

Perfectionism.

Some people I know relate to this word and understand it all to well.  I am one of those people.  I have been striving to be perfect in everything I take on since I was young.  Always striving to be the best at whatever the task is in front of me.  However, in recent years perfectionism has turned into procrastination.  The concern that I might not be able to do something perfectly, has caused me to put off the task and have it hanging over my head.

Recently I was talking with a group of friends and the conversation landed on the topic of perfectionism and the toll it takes on a person.  The best piece of advice I got that day was

"Strive for Excellence, not Perfection."

These words seemed so simple (as often the words of wisdom are), but freeing at the same time.

It was not that I had to give up striving and pushing myself to go for what I want.
It wasn't about stopping the pride I take in my work and wanting to do a good job.
It was not even about having to stop making what I do the best it can be.
What the words did provide was the freedom to not be perfect (which really is unrealistic anyway).
The freedom to release the inner critic, just a little bit, and allow myself to move forward while maintaining a standard of excellence.

It is not about being perfect - it is about finding the brilliance in the minor imperfections.

For me it was about setting a standard that I wanted to reach and then giving that idea a little bit of wiggle room.  The room to be creative and to get things done.

So for the past few weeks I have strived to be excellent and release my need to be perfect.  And slowly .... it is freeing up my time and decreasing my stress - bit...by small bit.