A NEW YEAR: 9 by 59

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.

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 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

A Happy New Year Is Up to You!

It is not only a new day, but a whole new year.  It is a perfect time to reflect, dream, plan, move forward.  Of course, all those actions require change—and change is not easy!  That is one reason I expect new year’s resolutions have such a bad reputation about being hard to keep. I personally know how hard it is to stick with a new program or plan to meet new year’s resolutions.  I will review my own actions from last year—successes and failures—later in the month when my birthday comes around.  Right now, as I start reflecting and dreaming, I am hopeful for a bright new year.

As you decide what you wish to accomplish in the new year, think about what is most important to you—the things that bring you joy, happiness, love, friendship, community.  Also acknowledge your skills and creativity; they can so often be the pathway to success!  Commit to your plans with confidence, courage, and enthusiasm.  Also, remember that actions—new or ongoing—do not need to be huge and grandiose; sometimes the small things make the biggest impact.  Trust your heart!

As I contemplate the challenges I will face in 2013 and thus make some decisions about the goals I will make to keep moving forward, I look to nature and to favorite quotes for inspiration.  I will share some below, hoping they give you some insight or ideas as well.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

To begin, it is important to remember that life is change and vice versa.  So it is best to embrace change and enjoy life for all its unexpected pleasures.  And remember that life, too, can be fleeting, so enjoy each and every day.  Tell family and friends how much you love them.  Be kind to all, even strangerss.  Just get started.  You cannot soar if you never stretch your wings!

“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.”  Robert Frost

“That it will never come again is what makes life so sweet.”  Emily Dickinson

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”  Helen Keller

“Be like a tree in pursuit of your cause. Stand firm, grip hard, thrust upward, bend to the winds of heaven, and learn tranquility.”   Dedication from Father of the Trees 

“Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if no bird sang there except those that sang best.”  Henry Van Dyke

“Never yet was a spring time when the buds forgot to bloom.”   Margaret Elizabeth Sangster

“You are built not to shrink down to less but to blossom into more.”  Oprah Winfrey

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”  Lao-tzu

Finally, as the first day of a brand new year draws to a close, I hope each and every one of you has made some plan for tomorrow, for next week, for the new year.  Remember, your plan does not have to be huge or grand.  It is just important to get started.

“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do.”  Helen Keller

“We must be the change we wish to see in the world.”  Ghandi

“Five years from now you will pretty much be the same as you are today except for two things:  the books you read and the people you get close to.”  Charles Jones

“Suceess is the sum of small efforts—repeated day in and day out.”  Robert Collier

So how will you make 2013 a better year for yourself, your family and friends?  I wish us all the courage to get started and the perseverance to keep going.