As I mentioned, I had a birthday recently. I turned 25, which seems old because I work so much with youth between the ages of 11 and 18.

I never made New Year’s goals for 2014, but here are my goals for my 25^th year. They are in no particular order.

1. Ask for it.
2. Initiate: Don’t expect someone else to do it.
3. Look for opportunities to be helpful.
4. Focus on living in the moment. Note the positive things.
5. Take time to be thankful.
6. Get my novel ready for review.
7. Rock the GRE.
8. Be diligent about journaling.
9. Read more.
10. Focus on health: Eat less sugar. Control portions.
11. Exercise everyday.
12. Publish consistently on Connecting the Dots.
13. Learn Guaraní.
14. Become fluent in castellano.
15. Stay in touch with my US network.
16. Reach out to friends in Paraguay; don’t always go it alone.
17. Hone patience.
18. Smile more.
19. Learn biology, chemistry, and math.
20. Make listening to podcasts part of my routine.
21. Solidify a positive self-image.
22. Listen to understand, not to respond.
23. Share more.
24. Let the little things go.
25. Ask more questions.