Launching #ProjectNorway

What the heck is #ProjectNorway?

In a good year, I find myself blue in the cold winter months in my home state of MN.  Well 2015 has turned out to be one of the most challenging of my life, so I was really feeling glum about the upcoming winter.  And then, I stumbled upon this article about how Norwegians, who have what could be argued to be one of the worst kind of winters in the world, stay upbeat and happy (for the most part) even in the Winter.  So, my life might be one huge, gigantic question mark right now, but one thing I do know for sure is that having a negative outlook about anything, including winter, is sure to guarantee misery.  So, the seed was planted for a different kind of approach to a MN winter.

*Oh, Winter...I'm really going to try to love thee...

Then I attended a women's retreat and did a whole heck of a lot of soul searching with some sacred soul sisters and came to the realization that I like to move.  Because I am not gifted with great athletic abilities, I have always felt that my intelligence was not Kinesthetic.  But after some deep contemplation, I realized that just because I'm not "the best" at physical activity, that doesn't mean that's not my pathway to wellness and spirituality.

Wait, one minute!  You mean I don't have to be "the best" at something in order to do it?  A bitter pill for this first born to swallow!

I knew God* was leading me to deepen my relationship with Him through physical activity...but...but...but...  It's going to be winter!  I just broke up with the gym!  I'm so out of shape and those dvd's I ordered are way out of my league!  How the heck am I going to pull this off?  And then one of my sacred soul sisters referred to that article about happy Norwegians and I remembered that it's all about perspective.  If I was going to move closer to God and do it now, I was going to have to change my perspective about Winter.  And thus, #projectnorway was born!

*yes, I mentioned God.  He's kind of a big deal in my world.  If He isn't a big deal in yours, I get it.  I'm not going to hit you over the head with my witness, but I will be bringing Him up from time to time.  Deal with it ;)

At first, #projectnorway was just this vague idea that I was going to try to see the good in Winter and get some physical activity with no.more.excuses.  But, I didn't really have a plan.  And, I'm a first born.  I needed a dang plan.  Since I discovered that I learn/process/figure stuff out while moving, I went for a walk.  In December.  On a cold day.  On that walk, I saw a Norwegian flag and came across a street called Norway Circle...seriously.  Don't tell me there's not *something* or *someone* out there giving signs.

On that cold, solitary (in a good way) walk, I was also able to map out some goals (see below). [Sidebar: I could call them New Year's Resolutions, but all my hipster friends sneer at those, so I'm just calling them "Goals to work on in the New Year."  It's all about semantics, folks.]

I'll explain those goals more in another post, but let's face it...I'm wordy and this is already long.  But...one more thought....

Why the blog?

Sure, I could make these goals and quietly go about my business of becoming a better Sara.  But, then I could also procrastinate and not really do them and no one would know!  So, I'm blogging for some accountability.  If I don't post, call me on it!  Check on me!  Nudge me with gentleness and love!

Also, maybe someone wants to join in on this project...if so, let me know how it's going!  I could use some ideas for working on these goals during the winter months in MN.  If you have a good idea, share it!  I'd love the support, companionship, and validation that I'm not crazy for doing this.

So, there you have it.  The official launch of #projectnorway.  No turning back now...

Hopefully yours,
~Sara Renee