What I Would Do

I am always thinking about the choices I wish I made every day. I often make goals for myself, but I don't often keep them. That's not to say I don't change my behavior over time. I do. I'd like to think that I am becoming a better wife and mother. But I fall so short of my goals. The reality is that what I want for myself in terms of goals is unrealistic. So today, when I had the choice to make more goals, I decided against it. I decided instead to think about the ideal me: what I would do if I could. Just for fun. Maybe this will help me see that it is utterly unrealistic to be this person, and at the same time, motivate me a little to meet one or two of these goals.

So, here goes nothing!

• I would wake up before Malachi and maybe even Joshua.
• I would spend time in quiet prayer and meditation in the morning.
• I would sit and enjoy a book with a cup of hot coffee or tea.
• I would shower, fix my hair and take care of my skin daily.
• I would get my hair cut and colored on a regular basis.
• I would get dressed in a presentable outfit instead of staying in the clothes that I slept in and...wore yesterday.
• I would make my husband's morning coffee and get his lunch ready.
• I would make my bed.
• I would spend some time moving every day, whether a walk, a swim, or hooping.
• I would spend some time outdoors each and every day (maybe not if it's below freezing).
• I would write on my blog most days.
• I would plan my dinner menus.
• I would keep our living spaces free of clutter and spend 15 minutes a day organizing something.
• I would clean for four 15 minute stretches every day.
• I would read for 20 minutes a day.
• I would spend 15 minutes reading to Malachi every day.
• I would spend 20 minutes playing the guitar or piano every day.
• I would not nap at nap time. Instead I would work toward meeting the above goals.
• Malachi and I would bike to the post office and library.
• I would have music playing most of the day, but not during nap time, when it would be silent except for the hum of the dishwasher or washing machine.
• I would say evening prayers from the daily office with Joshua and Malachi.
• I would take evening walks with my little family.
• Joshua and I would read together after Malachi goes to bed.
  
• I would pamper Joshua for 10 minutes each evening (he loves this!)
• I would unload/reload and start the dishwasher every night before bed.
• I would take the time to put on pajamas before bed.
• I would have a bed time and stick to it.
• I would keep my nails nice (in other words STOP biting them).
• I would floss my teeth twice a day.
• I would drink 100 oz of water every day.
• I would take a multivitamin and other helpful supplements religiously and remember to take my pills at meal times.
• I would have dinner going before Joshua gets home.
• I would have coffee or similar "girl time" with a friend every couple of weeks.
• I would have lunch planned on Sundays so that we could invite guests over after church a couple times a month.
• I would keep the laundry put away and clothes off the floor so we can always find what we want to wear.
• I would have houseplants because my my life would be balanced enough that I would remember to keep them alive.
• I would keep my phone on me at all times and answer it w every time my husband calls (this one is for his benefit).
• I would have a special place for my keys, purse, cell phone, and iPod, and I would never lose them and I would keep the elctronics charged up.
• I would put things away when I was done with them.
• I would go on a date with my husband every week, even if it was just for coffee.
• I would grow a garden.

So, what would you do? What is the "wish list" in your head that you wish you could accomplish?