I’ve mentioned it before, but my goal for this year is to make a Better Me. I just got to the point where I didn’t like how my life was and I didn’t want to just waste anymore time being sad about it. So I decided to change things. I haven’t made any specific plans…yet. However, I do have some areas/categories/elements in my life that I want to work on.
Body
One of the biggest things I’m working on is my health. I have gained weight in the last year because of my injuries and being sick. I hate feeling so horrible all of the time. When it’s hard to stand up for more than a few minutes at a time, something HAS to change.
Thank God for smart phones! I am tracking my water intake with an app, which is helping me to drink more water! I have joined Curves and I am going 3 times a week. At this point I am trying not to push myself too hard. They do have a station to check your heart rate to make sure you’re in the right zone. I can usually tell when I need to slow down. When I joined Curves I got a pedometer, so I have been tracking my steps. Which is also making me want to walk more. (Baby steps! I am only doing about half of what Curves suggests!)
Spirit
Another element in making myself better is spiritual. I have joined a Bible study on Good Morning Girls. I am making a point to have quiet time with God. I haven’t been doing it every day, but I’m trying to get at least 4-5 days per week. This study is really good. It’s all about being Focused. Lately that word has been popping up everywhere I seem to go, so I feel like it should be my word for the year!
Mind
I think my favorite thing (so far) that I’m working on is reading. I’ve challenged myself to read more this year. I’ve gotten a little sidetracked in the last couple of weeks, but never fear I am back in the groove!
Soul
“I have found the one whom my soul loves” – Song of Solomon 3:4
My marriage is so incredibly important to me. When I said “til death do us part” I meant it. That being said, my marriage is NOT perfect. Sometimes it’s really hard. When my husband came home from Afghanistan he was not the same person. As a military wife you are taught to look for signs of PTSD. He wasn’t ever diagnosed with it, but I know my husband and I know that he has PTSD. It is a daily struggle. Most people don’t understand it, including the person with it. Our family doesn’t even understand it. Especially how hard it is on me.
My goal for my marriage is to help my husband get help for his PTSD. I also want to try to get us back to where we have fun again. It’s been a long time.
Those are just a few things I’m working on for this year. I will continue to post my goals and accomplishments throughout the year. Just check out the tag Better Me Project to read them all!
What an incredible list of goals. My husband also returned from Iraq (twice) with severe PTSD. We’ve been 100% civilian for four years now and he still ducks at fireworks or a car backfiring. It can be such a struggle, and you’re right, it’s normally incredibly tough for us, the spouses. We’re the ones awake until 2AM with them when they awake with nightmares and we’re the ones that stand by their side when they rip us apart with their stress-induced behavior. You are not at all alone and the best thing you can do is stand there, with him, letting him know you’re not going anywhere. My husband, in the worst moments of his illness, walked away from us multiple times. I prayed hard, tried to find the meaning, and came to the same surprising conclusion every time – God made me strong, smart, capable, and compassionate so I could withstand the suffering and help lead my husband to peace. My husband needed to make the choice….and for us. it did come to a critical point where it was either therapy or a separation for safety reasons. He chose therapy and I am so blissfully happy to say we’ve had one entire year without an episode. We’re getting there, and you will too. Stay strong and never doubt yourself! God knows the plans He has for you!