What's "Ideal" Look Like?

When you look ahead to what your "whole" life might look like - what makes it your ideal? Is it the house that's always clean? Freshly pressed apron and dinner on the table by 5pm? Ya, me either. But there are some habits that I'd like to say that I incorporate into my life.

* Enough sleep. 

Who doesn't want to wake up without having to hit the snooze button or need a nap half way through the day. On the other hand, I don't want to have to be in bed by 9pm every night, either. 

* Healthy balance between what I eat and what my body needs for fuel.
I've read a hundred times that I'm not a dog and that I shouldn't reward myself with food. I know this, logically. But c'mon - you finish a long run or wicked tough workout and the first thing you say is "It's ok, I earned this (insert favorite snack item here - cookie, chocolate milk, giant tub of popcorn)."  It will be a major change if I'm going to eat to run, instead of running to eat.

*Me time.

Right now, me time is when I take the dogs for their nightly neighborhood patrol. But even then, I am being pulled - literally - and distracted from what it is that I want to think about. Long baths and reading in a sunny nook aren't on my daily to do list, so when am I going to find this elusive "me time" everyone says I need?

*Intellectual stimulation.

I want to be that woman who says, "I'm reading this fabulous book by..." or "Did you read that article? I thought it was so interesting..." or even "The exhibit was beautiful! Can you believe how talented...."
Let's face it, Words with Friends is not going to keep these brain cells firing at their highest level and Sudoko puzzles just tick me off. I want to learn and absorb and know.

*Community Involvement.
I love to volunteer - it's not just the warm fuzzy you get working for free, or making a difference in the community. I also love the people I get to interact with. I enjoy learning and doing new things. I relish in the opportunity to use my organizational skills and process mindedness to improve systems and programs. It's almost as if all my favorite parts of the brain get to play together. Working hard (accomplishment), meeting and helping people (social), learning new things (intellectual), and self worth (me time - sort of!). 

*Family time.

We already do a pretty good job of having dinner together, at the table, where we share our Hi/Lows each night. Sure, we miss a few with work and other commitments, but on the whole we've made it a priority and that's something I'm proud of. Still, I often find one kid gaming, another buried in a book, Dad on the computer and me puttering around doing chores, or surfing the web. I'm looking for a better balance.

These are some areas of my life that need focus.. my "ideal" life. Yours will be different. And that's OK because you and I are different. I'm curious to find out if, as I explore this idea of a "whole life", my "ideal life" will change. 

This experiment will officially kick off January, 2013 - but I'm gathering my wits, resources and positive attitude now! I hope you'll follow along. Even better? Join me! Share your thoughts and ideas and we'll figure this thing out, in our own way, together.

Until next time,

<3jen