What's your '09 motto? Mine is simple as can be.

Between facebook, twitter, and various blogs, I can't help but see resolution after resolution for 2009. I do have a few of my own, and much like everyone else, it's hit or miss whether I will still remember those vows come December 31.

But, this year, I am trying something different. I'm creating a motto for myself -- a theme, a niche, a style, so to speak.

My motto for 2009 is SIMPLICITY.

Those who followed the GAL blog last year know that I recently fell head first into a rut. It was partially my own fault, but it was such an eye opener. For once, I felt like someone turned the stage lights on, and all the "stuff" I plowed through and busied myself with suddenly seemed insignificant.

I pledged to turn down the volume (and pace)... to peel away all unnecessary things in life that drained me... and to reclaim my time and my sanity.

So far, I:

• Figured out the life I want (in all aspects, not just work) and decided to only do things that get me there.
• Saying "no" or "absolutely not" to anything that doesn't meet the criteria in the first bullet.
• Realized the person I have to say "no" to most often is myself.
  
• Reassessed what I wanted out of work, and where work falls on my list of priorities.
  
• Got over the fear of addressing my work desires.
• Got over the fear of leaving work if staying meant putting work above family and my life.
• Simplified many of my relationships across the board, and ignited those that actually uplift, humor, educate, inspire, or encourage.
• Scratched many, many things off the to do list and said to h&!! with those things.
• Became physically active again, ultimately dropping 12 pounds over 2 months.
• Stopped moving at lightening speed and learned to enjoy the feeling of sitting still for longer than 0.5 seconds (which meant, at times, not blogging).
  

For once in a long time I feel at peace. I feel more at peace than when I first wrote, "The Get A Life Campaign." I had allowed the book promotion to eat up all the free time I'd created. Then, I went back to work in medicine. And so goes the story. But, enough about me...

What is YOUR motto for 2009?

No more items added to your to do list, more rules you know you'll break, more crap to stress over. Where's your head this year? What's your theme (or theme music) for the Oh-nine? I want to know...

While you think, enjoy this song, entitled "A Song of Simplicity" by piano artist, Elijah Bossenbroek:






Dr. Ty
From the GAL Blog
www.getalifecampaign.com
Follow me on Twitter: @doctorty
Add our facebook fan page

What I've had my nose in lately

Set a goal or else time escapes you.

In order to keep myself accountable to my reading goals for the year, I'm sharing them with you guys.

Prior to fall 2006 (when GAL was born), I only read nonfiction (political, psychological philosophical-type books) and textbooks until my GAL pal Nakia disapprovingly eyed my bookshelf, declared that I was boring (gasp), and prescribed more fiction for my ailment.

I started with The Heiress of Water and I've been hooked ever since. I used to read a ton of fiction as a kid, but somewhere I think I became too "serious" for that. Truly, letting yourself get taken away to some far away world is so relaxing.

So -- Stop making excuses! Even if you read ONE page, it's one page closer to finishing, and one additional page of fun.

2008 TALLY

READ SO FAR:
The Alchemist
Harry Potter and the Prizoner of Azkaban
Being In Love by Osho


To be read before September 30:
Jesus Land: A Memoir
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire


To read by the end of the year:

The Memory Keeper's Daughter
On Writing by Stephen King
Just Too Good to Be True by E. Lynn Harris (comes out July 15th... pre-ordered a copy months ago)


Now that's I've posted this here, you all have to hold me to it. Feel free to share your reading tally for '08. For my GALs who spend a lot of time in the car...

How do you feel about fiction on audio CD?

I also noticed that when I consciously turn off my laptop, it's so much easier for me to read for leisure. Being on the computer zaps so much of my time! Try it tonight. Decide that you'll cut it off 2 hours earlier than usual. Let me know what happens.

Dr. Ty
From the GAL Blog
Haven't read "The Get A Life Campaign?" get your copy!