The Hometown Treasure January 2013 | страница 7

Healthy T he New Year always brings hope. Hope of newness, or hope of a past left behind. Hope that things can change. New Year resolutions are goals. There’s nothing fancy about them other than they are marked by a day on the calendar. They are simply promises you make to yourself. Goals and promises are good things. Often when New Year resolutions fizzle or fall by the wayside, it’s easy to feel like a failure. It’s common to feel like there’s no use in trying to achieve the goal again. But that’s why there’s hope. There’s never a day we can’t try again. What type of goals have you set for yourself this New Year? What thing in your life would you like to see changed? The most important component of setting reachable goals is that they are attainable. Don’t set yourself up for failure by setting goals that cannot practically be achieved given your circumstances. If your goal is big, you may need to break down the goal into small parts that can be accomplished step by step. This past year, I set a goal of completing a half-marathon. That’s thirteen miles. At first, setting out to run thirteen miles at one time seemed unreachable and insurmountable. But I knew I had to put one foot in front of another and run. I had to set Hearts ?Healthy by Brenda Yoder, MA, Education & Prevention Advocate for Elijah Haven Crisis Intervention Center small goals each week and persevere to achieve those goals. Over time, the goal of running thirteen miles was reachable because I met the small goals. On September 9, 2012, a local merchant, Linda Gierek and I crossed the finish line. We met our goal. You may not want to run thirteen miles, but what do you want to achieve this year? Do you have health, financial, work-related, or self-improvement goals? What about relationship goals? It’s easy to look at situations or relationships in our lives and think there’s no hope for change. This is not true. While we may not be able to change specific situations or people in our lives, we can change ourselves in those situations and relationships. Are there unhealthy people in your life that cause havoc and chaos for you? Make a goal of setting boundaries in that relationship and how you’ll respond to that person. Do you struggle with anger, fear, insecurities or worries? Make a goal to address them. When you work on and achieve small goals in your daily struggles, you’ll be surprised how you’re thinking and behavior slowly changes. You’ll feel healthier, less stressed, stronger and more confident. Whatever your goals are for this year, put one foot in front of the other and walk towards the finish line. If you get off track, don’t wait until next Eugene Bontrager Investment Advisor Representative Branch Office Manager Mobile: [phone] [email protected] Financial Advisors, Inc. Transamerica Financial Group Division 426 N. Main Street • Suite 4 • Middlebury, IN 46540 Office: 574.358.0178 • Fax: [phone] Homes Aaron Miller Investment Advisor Representative Mobile: [phone] [email protected] Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc. (TFA) member FINRA,SIPC, and Registered Investment Adisor. Non-Securities products and services are not offered through TFA. Insurance services offered through World Financial Group Insurance Agency, Inc. (WFGIA). TFA, WFGIA, and World Financial group, Inc. are ffiiliated companies. year to try again. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and put one foot in front of the other, again. Before you know it, you’ll be at the finish line. A Winner! Yoder Insurance Agency, LLC. Exceeding Expectations www.YoderIns.com 260-768-4547 8015 W US 20 • Shipshewana, IN NW Corner of SR 5 & US 20 Mobile Oil Changes! We come to your home or business to change your oil Mobile Services available • Brakes • Oil Changes • Alternators • Belts & Hoses • Tune-Ups • Diagnostics • FREE Estimates! * Also, on-site forklift repair & service * Insured * Credit Cards Accepted OSA on site auto LLC Call Eric Dunithan: 260.376.0044 The Hometown Treasure · January ‘13 · pg 5