kissing the new year in…
**Bonus points for anyone who knows where yesterday and today’s blog titles come from!**
Last year I made some “goals” I guess you’d say. I never blogged about my intention for the year, because I guess I felt it was private, but I think my decision was a great one. So good, in fact, that it’s my “resolution” this year too.
(I don’t like thinking of it as a resolution… cause I think resolutions are so rarely kept, but “intention” is a concept I can definitely get behind.)
Taking action.
That was my heart last year.
Of course, there is the literal concept of taking action physically, hopefully spurring more laps, more squats, more crunches and the like. But I wanted to turn “Action” into my life’s motto.
I, dear friends, am a lazy, lazy, lazy girl.
Daron can testify, I am seriously a lump. I can lay around for DAYS. I can spend the whole of spring break laying on the couch for 10-12 hours a day, surfing, watching tv, or reading. The need to be physically active isn’t something that I naturally crave. I almost NEVER get cabin fever. Honestly, I just don’t.
So last year, I decided that I’d look for opportunities to fight off passivity, and take action.
This meant:
-Moving my body more
-Going to auditions, even when I was horribly scared
-Keeping on top of my share of the housework
-Getting up and offering to take care of any business that needs taking care of
-Not putting off tasks that can be completed now
-Saying “Yes” to opportunities to do new things
That mentality really served me last year. Of course, it wasn’t as present in the forefront of my mind by November… and when I was in pain following surgery, I certainly wasn’t taking much action… But on the whole, it was an excellent theme.
So, this year, I want to continue it. I want to continue being someone who ACTS.
not hesitates.
not vascilates.
not fluctuates.
not procrastinates.
but acts.
I hope that my life isn’t something I observe, but is, instead, something I create.
I want to look back at my life experiences with awe and excitement, knowing that I did my part, and put myself in the best position possible to get the most out of life. I don’t think everything is in my control, but I want to know that I’ve been a participant in my own existence.
I hope you all have incredible kick off for 2012.
I’d love to know any tips, advice, or ideas you have that will help me reach my goal of taking more ACTION! 
Oh! And did anyone figure out the title references? 
kissing the old year out…
2011 was a really good year…
When I think back on the year, I have an overwhelmingly positive feeling. That doesn’t mean that nothing bad happened, obviously… but on the whole, it was a good one…
I started my year off with the New Years Day intention setting session at my favorite yoga studio, and went to classes for 6 straight weeks. It was an incredible start to the year…
I got to perform and sing in front of hundreds of fellow actors/singers in the opening of a Dallas/Fort Worth theatre awards ceremony. It was SO fun.
Daron and I went on a snowy adventure when we had some SERIOUS snow days!!
I started the “life well lived” movement… wherein I started logging all of the incredible things in life that I’ve already done! Things that are INCREDIBLE, and that should never be taken for granted…
I studied at a song performance workshop for 6 weeks with an INCREDIBLE teacher, and learned so much that I use everytime I audition or perform.
I saw the musical “Rock of Ages” not once, but twice… and in two different STATES! It has surprised me by becoming one of my FAVORITE shows. SERIOUSLY.
Hanging on the lawn before Rock of Ages
I was cast as Maureen – a DREAM role if there ever was one in RENT – My favorite musical of all time. And I got to perform with people I now consider family…
I got to spend some time with Heather on memorial day weekend, and created an incredible hop scotch arena.
Daron and I finally got our patio cover installed and now have an incredible outdoor space that we love SO Much!!
I found grey hairs 1-8… which I’m okay with.
I celebrated 6 years of marriage with my darling hubby!!
I got to perform at a preview for the upcoming season of a local theatre company, and stretched my under developed comedy muscles…
I got early access to pottermore, which made me feel like a nerdy, nerdy gangsta.
I got a macbook pro and an ipad 2, turning myself into a pretty legit mac fangirl.
I performed at a cabaret for my friend, the author of Little Girl Blue, the Karen Carpenter biography.
I started another incredible school year at my work, the best middle school EVER.
I survived my first real surgery.
I started a band with my hubby, and we released our first EP…
I’m feeling pretty lucky right about now…
I’m alive, and I’m loved… and I love so many people.
It’s a wonderful life, y’all.
memorable posts of 2010
Hey friends! I hope your holiday was festive and filled with tolerable measures of insanity, indulgence, and inspiration.
I wanted to jump on the proverbial bandwagon, and post a brief collection of the KelseyToney.com posts from the last year that have meant the most to me for a myriad of reasons. 
So, without further adieu,
…the memorable posts of 2010!!
January 21, 2010 – keeping it real (no, really.)
In this post, I discussed the self esteem crushing attitudes that I (and other bloggers) take on when we try to equate the number of subscribers, commenters, and or page views that we have on our blogs. One of the primary elements of my personality that I wish I could change, is my need for constant feedback. While my readership has continued to grow… despite my shortcomings in the arena of regular daily (or even weekly blogging), this blog has never had large amounts of comments. For whatever the reason. In this post I scrapped the notion that my worth, or the worth of my thoughts and feelings are measured by my blog feedback… and it felt great.
February 3, 2010 – KelsNotChels Rewind: Death to the Coin Laundromat
This post was just fun… it’s an excerpt from a 2004 livejournal entry in which I describe, in tragic detail how I managed to completely embarrass myself in the coin laundromat. Highlights include a male patron, and my skivvies combining in an anecdote I’m so glad to have chronicled.
February 10, 2010 – When they STOP mentioning it
This post is one that I REALLY hope you’ll go back and re-read if you’ve lost weight over the past few weeks, months, or years… because eventually… your friends and family will STOP complimenting you every time they see you, and you’ll just be you. And we have to… I mean HAVE to be okay when that influx of constant praise and encouragement is replaced with just regular conversation. This one is SO important to me, that upon reading it again tonight, I couldn’t believe I’d even written it. I’d like to copy and paste a few points here, just in case some of you have Forget-to-click-the-link-itis…
I am keeping three things in mind, to help me look inward for love and acceptance FIRST. I hope they will help you to love and appreciate yourself in all ways.
1. FIND it in others – Go out of your way to find the beauty, strength, efforts in others. Shower them with love and support. DOUSE them with praise and affirmation as often as you can. In my experience, that much love comes back to you, either in words, actions, good feelings, or self reflection. Finding those small, often unnoticed victories in other people helps us to see those same small glorious lights in our own lives. Essentially, practice makes perfect, and love breeds love.
2. FIND a routine – Every time I think about myself, think about my body, start/complete a workout, or look in the mirror, I try to say one of those things that would make me smile if a friend/coworker said it instead. The cheesier, the better, cause then I just end up laughing, and increasing my joy in two ways. Systematically works best, I’ve found. Either at the onset and completion of every workout, or each morning and night, scheduling it in my day, ensures that it isn’t left behind. Complimenting and encouraging myself is part of my daily routine.
3. FIND the hidden truth – Look for victories that no one else COULD celebrate. Triumphs that exist and are measured only in your own mind. No one else knows that it is the third day in a row you’ve not called yourself ugly, or the first time you’ve liked the way you look in your underwear. Those moments are yours, and only yours. Celebrate them, as you would any other joy, but keep it for your own. Special and personal, the praise you provide yourself for feats unspoken.
March 5, 2010 – Guest Post: More Than Series
This post was part of heather’s More Than Series… In it, I discussed how health and fitness was more than just about how much (or how little) I worked out, or how well I ate. For me, it was about how I treated myself. How I made sure that above all, I was HAPPY.
Because NO amount of fitness can take the place of happy.
April 6, 2010 – The Converse Effect
Man… Spring 2010 was one of GREAT learning for me. It’s a shame that I seem to have forgotten many of these lessons as fall has come and gone, and winter has set in…
This is flat out one of my favorite blog posts to date… I really, really want to tape it to my freaking wall…
“I’ve got to do what makes my heart happy… and if that means twice a day blogging… fine. If it means twice a month blogging… fine.
If that means, auditioning on a whim for a musical? FINE!
If that means that I get called scatterbrained or easily distracted… so be it.
You know what ladies? (and the few random men who might read…)
You should NEVER apologize for NOT BLOGGING.
I free you! I free you of non-blogging guilt! You don’t owe me an apology if you disappear from twitter for a few nights… you don’t owe me a damn thing.
We’ve ALL just got to do what we have to do! We need to do what makes us happy… Follow that whim! Take up that hobby!
EVEN IF its the 7th one you’ve taken up since January first… because in the end… our life is just a series of hobbies, activities, fleeting interests.
I am on a constant quest to stop caring about what other people think of me… and part of that, is doing whatever fleeting, flashing, shining thing pops in my head.”
April 28, 2010 – Flowers Just Bloom
This post is about a lesson I learned at Yoga, and how it made me want to be a more proud, shining, FULL me…
I was reminded that
“Flowers just bloom.
They don’t compare themselves to other blossoms.
They don’t want for more or less petals.
They don’t wish they were another color.
They don’t feel insecure if they open more quickly or slowly than another.
They don’t feel guilty if they’re more symmetrical or tall than another bud.
Flowers just bloom.”
_____________________________________________________
It isn’t lost on me that all of these posts are from the first HALF of the year… Let me just say that the second half of my year felt, as I see it now in hindsight, much less… victorious.
In the coming days, as I re-center, and refresh my heart in the bright shining potential of a new year, I’m sure I’ll talk to you about what I’ve been experiencing this fall and winter.
I thank you in advance for the love and support that I know you each continue to give by just sharing the journey with me.
xoxo
Back to Bidness
Well, I definitely enjoyed that little blog hiatus, but I suppose its time to get back to it. After all, If I have to go back to work, I might as well get back to writing too.
I hope you all had fantastic holidays, and are getting in to the swing of a new year.
In keeping with the blog-o-sphere’s obsession with the new year, I guess I should drop my two cents in and say that I don’t “DO” resolutions. Last year, I went so far as to call them “anti-resolutions”… I’m good with goals though… that is a good thing, I think.
I certainly don’t like the pressure of listing all I will accomplish for the year at one time, my goals and desires (not to mention interests) change with the seasons, and I don’t want to box myself in, or set myself up for disappointment should I change my mind.
However, I’ve thought of some things that I’m totally committed to doing, and other things that might be cool, if I still feel like it when the time comes.
in 2010, I’m committed to making these things happen…
- I will STOP defining myself and measuring myself by the opinions of others (perhaps the greatest flaw in my character)
- I will be a loving, attentive, and passionate wife
- I will sing in a public and professional setting (aka, NOT bloody karaoke-though I love it)
- I will be cast in a stage production (make me a chorus girl, I don’t care)
- I will dig deep into my yoga practice, because it brings deep and abounding joy and peace to my life
- I will finish a half marathon (if my plantar fasciitis will ease up, and I can run it, that would be great)
- I will find beauty in myself, and stop being so critical when I look in the mirror
- I will maintain my healthy weight, and continue to be active and eat right.
- I never want my weight to TOUCH 150 again. I weigh 144 right now, and have weighed 143~145 since October. Lower would be cool though.
in 2010, I’d be stoked if these things came to pass, but I won’t get my panties in a bunch if they don’t…
- I’d like to blog 5 times a week
- I’d like to try a sprint distance triathlon
- I’d like to cut back on some of the crap I still eat (I’m a sucker for wine and cookies)
- I’d like to run a race in a place away from home
- I’d like to see the ocean again
- I’d like to get cast as a featured role in a stage production (I don’t mind if it’s small, but I’d love if my character had a name that I didn’t just make up… aka, villager #3)
I suppose that is it… You guys are awesome.
Have a happy Wednesday.
My Anti-Resolution
Welcome to the new year!!
I’ve put off writing this entry, because I did not make any resolutions this year. I made Anti-Resolutions.
Anti-Resolutions, as I’m defining them, are not tied to a magical date, are not fads, are not triggered by the pressures of society and popular culture, but are commitments. (Let me disclaim and say that resolutions are highly effective for some people, and I wish every resolutioner great success in achieving their goals) For me, this commitment began in November when I started (and completed) the 30 day shred. The commitments I’ve made about my 2009 experience are not restricted to the coming 12 months, but are part of a CHANGE I’m making in my life.
In light of this information, I present, my 2009 Anti-Resolutions.
1. I will not worry about how much I weigh.
How much I weigh is not important. Being healthy is important. I want to live a long and active life, and in order to do that, I need to be more active and eat right.
2. I will not forgo a balanced diet.
I am not 16 years old and I can not eat everything I want. I will put good food in my mouth, and I will make choices about what I eat and drink, ensuring that I enjoy the fruits of life, but take everything in moderation.
3. I will not stand still.
I will run my first 5k in 2009. I’ve started the couch to 5k program (hereafter referred to as c25k) and am on my 2nd week. My body, endurance, and stamina are already improving! I’m excited about this one.
4. I will not be quiet.
I pay for this blog. Instead of using a blogspot blog, I have my own domain and my own hosted blog, and I will not waste my money!
5. I will not waste my brainpower!
I have 2 semesters left in grad school. I’ve managed straight 4.0, and if I focus, I can finish with one. Also, I want to keep reading. I love reading, and do more than most people, but I’ve got a pretty long to-be-read list, and I want to read a minimum of 25 books in 2009.
I will have a Masters Degree in 2009!
6. I will not take my fellow humans for granted.
From my beautiful husband, to my family, to my friends old and new, I want to make sure that the people in my life (even those with whom I’m only an acquaintance) know how valuable they are to me. I don’t want to miss out on chances to tell people that they are precious, and I am glad to have them in my life.
I hope that the promises you’ve made for your life bring you more joy and contentment in 2009, and I hope that the effects of your efforts last much longer than 12 months.
Happy New Year.
-
-
-
Leave your email to get my posts delivered daily! -
Twitter
Digg
Flickr
YouTube
Last.fm
Blip.fm
