Last year was a long, hard year. For much of the time, I was either in the doldrums or struggling with fits of frustration and stress. A long-term problem is still unresolved. The worst part, however, is that others are working on the resolution. I am not good at giving control over to others. I am also not the best at being patient. But I’m trying! Throughout the year, I did work on the eight goals I had in place for 2012, but I never fully finished all of them. I am consistently reading more now—and that habit will continue. Of course, the others—eat better, scan photos, address projects—are ongoing and will never really be checked off the list.
My birthday was last Saturday—and 2013 is starting off as a great year. My underlying plan is to keep focused on the day-to-day and not let the things outside of my control get me down. To accomplish that broader plan, I am going to delineate nine goals to address by next year at this time, hence the 9 by 59! This time, I am going to be a bit more specific in my goals since the bigger picture matters will always be there. I’m confident I will stay more active and engaged this year because I plan to take to heart this philosophy shared with me on my birthday:
Basically in 2103 I plan to do MORE! The MORE will be targeting these areas, some practical, some more spiritual in nature:
- Eat more salads
- Drink more water
- Laugh more—at life, myself
- Write more
- Post on my blog more
- Trek into Nature more
- Express gratitude and appreciation more
- Connect with friends on a more regular basis
- Photograph the wonders around me more
I am excited about 2013! I am determined to make it a better year. I wish you all a great new year as well, bringing you more of all the things that are important in your life.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Success is the sum of small efforts—repeated day in and day out. Robert Collier
You know you are old when you have lost all your marvels. Merry Browne
Four short words sum up what lifted most successful individuals above the crowd: a little bit more. They did all that was expected of them and. . . a little bit more. A. Lou Vickery
What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals. Zig Ziglar
A well-developed sense of humor is the pole that adds balance to your steps as you walk the tightrope of life. William A. Ward


Comments on: "A NEW YEAR: 9 by 59" (18)
Happy Birthday! Those are great goals. I may steal a few for myself.
Thanks for stopping by. I should have added read more of the blogs consistently that I follow, like yours! You’re impressing me with your 21-day challenge!
These little challenges are fun. I find myself looking at my surroundsings differently, wondering if something could be a good picture. 21 days isn’t too long. 2 years ago I tackled a 365 day challenge. That got intense. By the end of it my brain was fried but my photos made big strides. It really forced me to learn my camera
Happy belated Birthday to you!!!! … by 9 by 59 is a great motto … and the nine seem quite attainable. Press on!!!!
Thanks for the good wishes. The goals are (hopefully) attainable this year, they seem like it! I can use you as an example of writing more–you post so often with great topics! My goal is to get back on a at-least-once-a-week schedule.
Post your 9 by 59 list on the refrigerator!
Good idea. I will, right there next to the doubt-limits quote magnet.
Gotta have the reminder someplace obvious.
Happy Belated Birthday. Thanks for sharing the quotes.
Thanks for stopping by. I’m glad you liked the quotes–I love quotes. I received some nice books of quotations for Christmas and birthday. Lucky me.
Happy birthday! Hang in there. 2013 is going to be a great year, and you have some fantastic goals to work towards.
Thanks for stopping by. . . and for the good wishes and encouragement!
Happy belated birthday Patti.
Thanks, Antonia. Great to hear from you!
Happy belated Birthday and New Year!! I am really glad to read this post and I’m working on basically the same thing – keep doing what I was doing last year, goal wise, but go about it in a little more organized or methodical way.
Great luck to you this year Patti!! I’m so glad to have you back in the blog world
Thanks. I am trying to stay more engaged with my blog–it helps me stay more appreciative and grateful with the things around me if I try to write about things. I wish you good luck on your pursuits this year–and I look forward to see more and more of your blog entries. I always appreciate your ideas and perspectives.
[...] of my goals for 2013 is to “express gratitude and appreciation more.” This one I can address right now—without [...]
[...] Earlier this year, I recommitted myself to being grateful, to expressing my thanks and appreciation more consistently and more often. It is not a new focus as I have talked about gratitude several times in the past. My problem is that lately I’ve been noticing pet peeves more and more often. To try to change that reality, I have decided to step-up and turn my pet peeves into points of gratitude. [...]