Posted by Kimberlee Morrison on Feb 15, 2010 in
Goal Setting,
My Life I’ve been making some moves. Where a couple weeks ago I was feeling like I hadn’t made enough progress and today I feel very different.
It’s not that I’ve made so much more progress than before, I’ve just been more active since making the plan. I’ve been consistent and it’s paying off with even the slightest increase in readership.
There’s one thing that’s scaring me though: the prospect of going to grad school. My boys are adamantly opposed, worried that I’ll forget about them. And I how could I? Mother’s who love, rarely do anything without thinking of how it will affect their children. So the protests of my children are not falling on deaf ears.
This process is the difference between choosing the safe and comfortable option versus pushing forward into radical life changes. Honestly, right now I want to regress and do whatever is easiest. I’m shitting myself thinking all I have to do is make the move and the universe will back me up.
But I refuse to be afraid of being great. I don’t want to live my life thinking what could have happened if I had only been brave enough.
I’m thinking the next week or so is going to be about beating the fear.
And beat it I shall.
Tags: Changing the Game, Fear of Flying, Goals, No Sandbacking, Self Sabotage
Posted by Kimberlee Morrison on Feb 13, 2010 in
Food,
Love,
My Life The ex never believed me so even though money was always tight, he always at least got a flower, chocolates, a cheap stuffed animal holding a heart that said “Be Mine” or something. I love chocolates, the flowers and plush toys I can do without.
I don’t, however, need an excuse to go to an awesome brunch with the boy and some friends. Besides which, the boy has been bugging me for ages to go back. So we’re getting up early (but not to early) to beat the V-Day crowds and stuff our faces, have many mimosas–too much sugar for the kid–and appreciate the good company.
Here’s the thing…I may not be into it, but my boyfriend The Mad Carpenter is totally mushy and sentimental and would be terribly hurt if I didn’t at least post some sort of love tribute. Truthfully, if he were here, I’d be excited because he’d definitely have something romantic planned. And while I may not be big on flowers or plush toys, romantic gestures are always welcome.
If he were here, he’d join my friends, the boy and me on our Valentines brunch and the day would have a different glow about it. Alas, he’s not here, so its just a regular day.
But still, I can’t let it pass without giving him a shout-out.
David I love you. I wish you were here.
Tags: Brunch, Friendship, Love, The Mad Carpenter, Valentine's Day
Posted by Kimberlee Morrison on Feb 10, 2010 in
Goal Setting,
My Life I don’t know why I’m so excited about it. Just seems like a big deal to me. Considering that I started this blog a year and a half ago and I’m just now hitting the 100 post mark seems…a little strange right now. I mean…what did I start this blog for if not to make use of it?
And it seems that making use is paying off. Not just in increased readership (hey you folks out there in cyber world!) but in the increased commitment to regular posting. Writing every day isn’t an obligation or a chore, I actually enjoy it! Read more…
Tags: 100 Posts, Benchmarks, Blogging, Goals, Writing
Posted by Kimberlee Morrison on Feb 9, 2010 in
Parenting On the way home I heard an NPR report about a new initiative to fight childhood obesity and I had two thoughts: man, that’s sad and I’m glad I’ve started on some lifestyle changes. One of the quotes from Michelle Obama was for parents to think back to when we were kids and we spent recesses running around and literally weren’t allowed to come in the house until it was time for dinner.
I loved it and thought about how on the weekends and during full days of free time, I always send the boy outside with strict instructions not to return unless he’s hungry. If I didn’t do this, he’d sit in front of the TV or computer. That’s no way for a kid to grow up. Sure kids who use computers regularly have higher reading aptitudes, but too much computer time can lead to a sedentary lifestyle. That’s not what I want for my boy.
The thing is that with the paranoia about pedifiles and the safety police on high alert most of the time, it can be hard for free-rangers like myself to allow kids the freedom they need to be active. And if you can’t afford to (or simply don’t want to schedule every moment of your child’s activity) pay for extracurricular like t-ball and karate, finding active options can be difficult.
What we need to do is bring back that village mentality where parents in the same neighborhood knew each other and looked out for each other’s kids and kids were free to roam their respective neighborhoods without the parents being accused of being neglectful. I’m fortunate to live in an area where the kids (and parents) are given just this freedom. Sure the kids get into trouble sometimes, but mostly, they just play and respect the responsibility that comes with their long leashes.
So here’s to a return of parental and childhood freedom. And to the healthy lifestyle that is being a free-range kid.
Tags: Free-Range, Health, Lifestyle
Posted by Kimberlee Morrison on Feb 8, 2010 in
Goal Setting,
My Life You may or may not have noticed that I’ve been feeling a little discouraged. Yesterday I posted an excerpt from the 10th anniversary edition of the Freedom Writer’s Diary as a reminder to myself of how far I’ve come.
I needed the reminder because I was starting to feel like I haven’t gotten much accomplished so far this year (yes I realize we’re only a month and eight days into the new year, what of it? I’m an overachiever, I’m used to rocking the shit out of everything I do) < --- It's this thinking right here that has been getting me into trouble. I mean seriously, can I expect to have accomplished everything I want to do this year in a matter of 40 days?
I think not.
So it was exactly what I needed when I saw this tweet from Carla Young:
Don’t be afraid of the space between your dreams & reality. If you can dream it, you can make it so. – Belva Davis
That space between the dream and reality is something I’ve come to know as the GAP: God’s Area of Preparation. Every goal, every dream, every accomplishment takes time and preparation. It takes time. And how one manages the GAP makes the difference between failure and getting to where you want to be.
What the heck am I talking about? Read more…
Tags: GAP, Getting Things Done, Goals, God's Area of Preparation
Posted by Kimberlee Morrison on Feb 7, 2010 in
Books,
My Life I’ve had several people ask me what is “freedom writing” and what are “Freedom Writers.” It started as a bunch of kids writing their stories in the hopes that someone might read and find hope. Funny thing is that sometimes I have to go back to my own story when I’m looking for hope and motivation to persevere through hard times and achieve my goals. To wit, I share with you this excerpt from The Freedom Writer’s Diary: 10th Anniversary Edition.
Dear Diary,
I was five months pregnant when I graduated from high school. I wasn’t worried, though, because I had a plan. I was going to college and I was going to make something of myself. For a while the plan worked and I worked the plan. Spring semester came around and I jumped in full speed ahead, ready to conquer the world. But as time went on, and the plan didn’t seem to be taking me any closer to my goal of graduating from college, my vision started to grow dimmer and dimmer.
It was 30 minutes before my intro to mass media class; a course from which I was on the verge of being dropped because I was either late or absent on a regular basis. I spent the previous 30 minutes trying to scrounge up a few bucks to put gas in my car. I dumped my change jar and counted almost four dollars in pennies. Then I dug in the couch, under beds, in junk drawers, in my purse, and checked every pants or coat pocket until I had exactly five dollars. I put them in a ziplock bag and headed to the gas station, hoping I could get to class on time.
“I can’t take that,” said the little Asian woman, when I went to hand her the bag. She didn’t even move to it. “How do I know it’s five dollars?” Read more…
Tags: Freedom Writers, Goals, Perserverence, Struggles
Posted by Kimberlee Morrison on Feb 7, 2010 in
Goal Setting It’s sad when you do nothing all day and you still forget to post a blog.
Yep, that’s what happened yesterday.
Well…not literally nothing, but it’s not like I was super busy and didn’t have time. I just…forgot. And you know what? I’m not going to beat myself up about it. The real goal is to write every day and that I didn’t forget. I’m also not giving up. I may miss a day here or there, but I’m still determined to get through this blasted 365 project.
I won’t call it a fail because I’ve posted more days than I haven’t, and I plan to keep it that way. I’d much rather post when I have something to say, but since the goal is to write every day and using this blog is a good way to keep myself accountable, I won’t use the I don’t have anything to say cop-out.
I’m sure there will be other missed days, but I’m going to keep on plugging along.
Who’s with me! 
Tags: 365 Fail, 365 Project, Goals, Writing
Posted by Kimberlee Morrison on Feb 5, 2010 in
My Life,
Parenting,
The Boy Making plans, getting my ass in gear and guess what…today I’m at a complete loss for what to say.
It was a craptastic week. Stressing about money, ambush at work, injury from working out…I’m tired, cranky and I just want to isolate myself in my room. I want to lock the door and watch TV on the internet until I fall asleep.
Unfortunately, the boy has other ideas. He wants me to play and watch him dance and sing. He wants to sit with me and watch TV but I just want to be alone. I snapped at him a couple times because I tried to tell him politely. But really, its just me and him, so I totally understand why he just wants to sit under me. Read more…
Posted by Kimberlee Morrison on Feb 4, 2010 in
Goal Setting,
My Life That’s right! I took a good look at what I want to get done, what it’ll take to get there and made a quick list of goals. I even set deadlines for some and a schedule for others.
Funny thing is I’ve been telling myself for weeks it’s time for a plan but I haven’t taken the time to actually create anything concrete or measurable. I think part of that is fear that if I make a plan things become all the more real. I suppose that goes back to Carla Young’s 30 day game changer post about self sabotage and those things that scare the shit out of you. Read more…
Tags: 30 Days, Fear of Flying, Getting Things Done, Goals, Making a Plan, Shout Outs
Posted by Kimberlee Morrison on Feb 3, 2010 in
Goal Setting,
My Life Yeah, I know you’re supposed to consult your physician before starting any fitness regimen but what healthy person actually does that? And truthfully, these last few weeks, I’ve felt better than I have in a very long time. I’m positive its a result of healthier eating and regular exercise.
So you’re probably wondering what I’m going on about.
I started having pain in my lower back which got progressively worse until finally I decided to go to the doctor. When you have pain radiating across your lower back and shooting down your leg, your body is trying to tell you something Read more…
Tags: Catch-22, Fitness FAIL, Goals, Health/Fitness
