Ignite - My 2014

For three years now my mum and I have been inspired by Ali Edwards to think about our year ahead. We may think of things we wish to do & achieve, who we wish to become and what we value, what needs a little (or big!) change in our life and how we wish to implement new beginnings or tweaks to our every day to become happier and healthier both inside and out.

In 2012 my first word was 'confidence'. This was a big year for me as it was the first of my clinical years in the hospitals for my medical studies and I knew my confidence and my voice to speak out for what I believed in needed a little nudge! For 2013 my word was 'Bloom'. The past year saw me take the 5th year of my medical studies into the rural clinical school as I spent the year in Busselton helping to deliver babies, learning the art of the sick child, meeting specialists and many wonderful doctors from Bunbury to Augusta. It was my year to branch away from the crowded big smoke of Perth and bloom into the person previously hidden behind the busy life of the city. Also suffering sport injuries I used the year to work on different aspects of my fitness such as weight training and bought my first road bike!

Sometimes thoughts and ideas can jump out of you when you least expect it. I unintentionally tend to do a lot of important thinking at the gym. As strange at it sounds I find the gym and exercise is time for 'me' and with motivating music my mind drifts into what I believe in and my goals and dreams. Naturally my word came while I was sweating it out on the stationary bike before a weights class, I was listening to Fall out Boy - 'My songs know what you did in the dark (Light 'em up)' and I knew then and there that after allowing myself to bloom in 2013, it was time to 'Ignite' myself back in Perth and for 2014!!

To tell the truth my first word was 'reignite' but then I realised I don't want to go back to the old ways, I am ready to ignite into a newer and fresher me. I am ready to be myself with passion and confidence, commit to my beliefs and values with enthusiasm, optimism and dedication!
Some large goals for me in 2014 include:

• Make the most of all opportunities that come my way starting with an elective to Westmead Children's Hospital in Sydney this February for 4 weeks
• Not worry about what other people may think or say - I would rather be a nobody happily being myself than be a 'somebody' and lost
• Complete the 90km half ironman cycle leg as a team
• Conquer my injuries and return to track athletics (and hopefully try the 400m hurdles!) and if all goes well compete in the Australian University games in Sydney in September/October
• Nourish my body with wholesome and fresh foods and teach/inspire those around me how tasty and simple wholesome foods can be!
• Learn more Yoga - Yoga Sundays - and Meditate even 5-10 minutes a day
• And of course... complete my final year of Medical school gaining as much experience as I can and come the end of 2014 - become a Doctor!!!

It is easy to say our goals and visions at the start of the new year. Its one thing to write our resolutions down but without action and commitment our goals are as good as the piece of paper we have written it on. With every journey to achieving new goals are hard times and struggles as well as the excitement and success, so when those harder times come I have written myself a letter reminding me of my goals and who I am and at the start of each month or (when I am down/stressed) I will light a candle to remind myself of my word - 'Ignite'.

Our mind is like a muscle in its own and if it not worked and fed with motivation and inspiration, it too will shrivel away and we will lose our focus and commitment. You only regret the things you have not done (or at least tried!!) SO lets get out there and make 2014 our biggest, best and happiest year yet!

And no matter what your resolutions and goals are, envision them, believe in them and above all remember to always be yourself :)

2014, lets IGNITE!!

xox