The purpose of life is to live a life full of purpose-Michael Franti

My co-worker (and friend) posted something on facebook yesterday about the author of "The Happiness Project" Gretchen Rubin suggests choosing a theme for your year rather than making new year resolutions. I really like this idea because as I've said in previous posts, I find people fail at their "resolutions" so much more quickly when they are such high stakes. Last year I suggested making goals over resolutions so the pressure wasn't there. This year, I'm suggesting looking at this idea and taking it to heart.

In her post, my co-worker asked what others would choose as their theme. I initially wrote simplicity or justice because those are the two that came to my mind most quickly. This morning I would say my theme for this year would be "Be Open." I want to remain open to new ideas, new challenges, new opportunities that come my way, new friends, new ways of seeing things. I believe it's important to stretch and challenge myself, especially as I follow my dream of going through a PhD program.

While reading the piece on theme over resolution, I stumbled across Rubin's suggestion of making commandments for yourself. I really really like this idea too. She suggests using phrases that stick with you. I haven't actually read any of this woman's work but after looking through it seems like her work focuses on creating your own happiness--which we all know I'm totally into! This is a philosophy many around me use, Michael Franti for instances. He has to be my number one role model. He's like a religion. ;)

For me, Paleo, gluten free, and moving have become a way for me to get through the muck of daily life. The commandments Rubin suggests writing seems like something right up my alley. So I went ahead and did it with a phrase Franti uses in one of his songs in mind (I embedded the youtube in the quote).

"The purpose of life is to live a life full of purpose"-Michael Franti


Victoria's Commandments

1: Be me, be real, be the best I can be
2. Serve the greater good by ensuring I embody justice and challenge injustice around me
3. Love with my whole heart
4. Forgive; those around me and myself
5. You are what you eat
6. Live each day fully and don't get caught in the bullshit
7. Challenge myself daily
8. Stretch both in physical body and in school
9. Enjoy the simple things
10. Breathe


One full day into 2016 and has been great! I started by walking a track and doing some stairs with friends from barre and my love. And there was a piggy back race! (We won!--I was EXCITED!) I'm glad that I started 2016 doing something I want to continue in the new year: community and health. In my first few years here, I really focused on having friendships with people whom I work and now I feel like I've branched out and I enjoy that! Health for me is a variety of things. In my new chapter of life, including my venture toward my dreams, working out and making time for myself is going to be key.

As this year continues I'm going to try and remember my theme of "be open" and challenge myself daily. I want to grow and stretch and become the best possible version of myself I can be. I owe it to myself and my communities to become even better with each passing day.

Hope you have a happy and healthy year.