THE REAL ME in 2009

One of my resolutions for 2009 is to live a REAL life. So I looked up the word in the Webster's Dictionary and found this:

REAL 1: not artificial, fraudulent, or illusory; 2: genuine 3: being precisely what the name implies; 4: occurring or existing in actuality; 5: having objective independent existence; 6: in earnest; 7: genuine; 8: genuinely good or capable of success.

These definitions are precisely my aspiration for 2009. I want to be the genuine article. Never fake or phony. Always exactly who I am, good or bad, right or wrong, just ME. Those that know me know that I am pretty much an open book. I don't typically put on airs for anyone. If you have ever come to my house you know that I am not the hostess with the mostess. I am a "mi casa es su casa" kinda gal. For those of you that don't speak Spanish this translates to "My house is your house". In other words, make yourself at home. You are part of the family. You get to see us at our worst and at our best. Like it or lump it.

If you ask me what I think I will probably tell you. I will try not to be hurtful, arrogant or insensitive, but I will be totally honest with you. I usually have an opinion about things. I don't expect everyone to agree with my opinion, but I hope that you will respect it. I will respect your opinions. I may tell you where I disagree, but I will respect you.

I think I am a sensitive person. In fact, I think sometimes I can be too sensitive. But I am very aware of this and work hard at staying in balance. My feelings run very deep and when I am hurt it takes me a while to come to terms with it. I don't think I get hurt easily as I am pretty logical and accepting of where someone else is coming from, but when enough is enough, I am done.

I like to be in control. I don't necessarily HAVE to be in control. But I prefer it that way. If I don't get to be in control, my world doesn't necessarily come crashing down on me, but I may work a little harder than the average person to take the helm. I usually have some very definite ideas about how things should be and I will usually tell you or try to make it happen. However, if you disagree, that's cool too. Just tell me to back off and I will. I won't be hurt or offended, just tell me to back off. But tell me nicely and with respect, as I will treat you respectfully in return.

I particularly like the part of the definition where Webster defines the word REAL as "genuinely good or capable of success". I have experienced many successes in my life. I have a successful marriage, a successful career, wonderful kids, great friends and a beautiful home. Success. But there are areas of my life where I feel that I am not realizing my full potential. Areas where I have gotten very comfortable and reluctant to reach beyond where I am. This is going to change in 2009. I am going to take some chances and kick things up a notch. I am going to reach for success in areas that I have previously held back.

• I am going to be more competitive at work. I am not going to be complacent any longer. I am going to work harder, work smarter and use my time more efficiently.

• In scrapbooking, I am going to take chances and try out for more design teams. I know that I have the potential and talent and I am going to be more assertive and work to get my name out there. I am going to be REAL and honest in my layouts. I am going to be more expressive of my emotions and journal more.

• For my health, I am going to get my butt off the couch and out from behind the computer and get healthy. I am going to make better choices and work harder and dropping some much needed weight.

This coming year I am going to BE REAL, LIVE REAL, FEEL REAL, LOVE REAL, and CREATE REAL. I am going to work on areas where I may have made compromises and not been completely real with myself or others. I am going to make an effort to reflect that in my scrapbooking, my relationships and in my day to day life happenings. I don't want to be anyone other than who I am. So, this is me. This is who I am and who I will continue to be, KEEPIN' IT REAL in 2009.

Stay tuned....things could get real interesting around here.