{re}focus:: october

i realized a few days ago that we are 3/4 of the way through the year.  it does seem like time is set on warp speed lately. doesn't it? that leaves us with 3 months...3 of the busiest months of the year.  but also 3 of the most exciting months of the year.  that is, if you love food, and family, and togetherness like i do.

it's also the last few months to make good use of my word: focus.


i have worked hard to incorporate the word into my everyday life.   keeping it present in my mind.  this is the first year that i've made it more visible and really put it to work.  i'm already thinking of my word for 2012.  there is one that's been popping up.  i'll see if it sticks.

i plan to focus for the next 3 months on the things that matter to me.

::bake something::
i had fun with that in september and i plan to continue it this month.  i have a few recipes selected for this month that include pumpkin muffins, coffee cake and a few halloween treats.  this is going to be a tasty month.

::stay active::
with the additional calories i have to burn equal or more calories.  i feel like i have a good routine going at the gym.  not feeling bored yet and definitely feeling challenged (aka sore).  i just want to keep the momentum going.  it's been a constant struggle.  yesterday, after spending 2 hours at meetings at school, i wanted so badly to drive right past the ymca and go home to a hot bowl of soup.  but i didn't do it.  i worked out for an hour and felt great.  and then went home to that bowl of soup.  the workout made it so worth it.

::play with my camera::
i haven't picked it up much lately, except to take the occasional food photo.  i want to take it out more this month.  experiment a bit.  see the world through the lens again.

::be inspired::
last month i focused on taking a breath.  this month i want to feel inspired.  i want to be a bit curious.  i want to discover something beautiful.

lately i've been worried about making a decision with what i want to do with my life.  i've been trying to figure it out.  i've worked at letting my passion come through. yesterday i read these words and i knew that the answer will come to me.

"The only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it." 


and this


"have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."
-Steve Jobs