goals

Day 88

I am not a person who wants to put the year behind me. 2018 had tribulations and sorrows, but it also had so many beautiful gifts and valuable lessons. I will move on into the new year and will bring 2018 along with me.

Dreams and Goals

I am excited about what the new year will bring. I know that goals do not move toward me — I must move toward them. And that takes work and dedication and desire. I am ready to take on these tasks to arrive at the destination I hold in my mind.

2018 saw the achievement of many things, but nothing I had really carved out for myself. That is how I trust 2019 will be different. I am working toward something concrete and that work is bringing me great joy and freedom of expression.

Sacred Space

So as I move forward into 2019, I hold a sacred space for the past — for the joy, the laughter, the accomplishments, and the losses. They are all valuable to me. For you see, when you reach my age, you realize what you look back on is the sum your life. There is no changing it, but there can be acceptance and grace and determination for tomorrow.

If times were tough and you survived and came out on top — wow! If life was full of love and times to cherish — know you are fortunate. If you are still struggling, don’t give up — lean on those who love you — those who want to see you succeed.

My Wish

My wish for all of you dear readers is a more peaceful and tranquil world. A world where each of us has an equal opportunity to achieve our hopes and dreams. I wish for less violence and more love and understanding. I wish for health and well being for each of you. But most of all, I pray you will find love and joy in your life.

Journey on…

Day 87

Tomorrow is the last day of December. It was a difficult month. Tomorrow is also the last day of the year, bringing 2018 to a close. It wasn’t always an easy year, but I don’t want to say it was a bad year because that casts an unwanted shadow on all the joy that 2018 brought into my life.

As I have stated before, I’m not a New Year’s resolution kind of person. I like to think about the coming year and what my hopes, goals, and dreams are for the future. As I have been thinking of how I can make the new year lighter, I think I’ve found a rather nice groove.

What does that mean exactly? It means I feel an aura of contentment. I feel like I know where I am headed. I know what I want to remove from my life. I feel like I am grounded and moving in a positive direction. It’s nice to be able to say that.

As I told a few of my friends when I recall my memories of people I have lost it always brings the same thought to mind. They loved life! I have the chance every day to live the life they can no longer enjoy. I’m not talking about important jobs, big houses or extravagant purchases. I’m talking about the breathing part of life. The place where joy lives.

Joy lives in little things. Today it was watching two Carolina wrens bathing in a puddle the rain left on the top of our patio table. It was delightful.

For me, joy lives in the full moon that lights up the trees, the blaze of orange that rises out of a sunset, and the magic of new-fallen snow. Joy lives in my writing, my friendships and the love of my family. It is my constant companion if I am willing to create space for it.

I am taking a couple of wonderful writing classes. They are inspiring me beyond belief! I have found a few goals I hope to achieve in the early part of 2019. I am excited and filled with anticipation. I have wonderful friends — old and new — and family that loves me. I have a husband that is a kind and gentle soul. How could I not be joyful?

The coming week will be difficult as we honor the life of our Mom. I will add her to the list of people who loved life and would be living it to the fullest. She would be planning the next meal, the next party, the next event or the next trip even before the current one had come to a close. I will honor her by living and loving life as much as she did.

Today I watched a video of a gentleman’s weight loss journey. The video ended with this question:

If you knew success was a certainty, what would you attempt to do?

I am enjoying this groove I’m in. I will have challenges and hurdles but I will look back on 2018 with the knowledge that it brought me more joy than sadness. What more could I ask for?

“Among the greatest tragedies is a person who believes that they aren’t meant to win–by winning I mean find their purpose, passion and joy in life.
They believe that other people have better DNA or happiness genes or something, but that they themselves are missing a critical chromosome.
This is a lie and it is begging to be un-believed.
For the moment we know the truth about ourselves, we can take both responsibility for our own lives and inspired action to create exactly the life which is our birthright.
In other words, you were meant to win. You were created for joy.”
Jacob Nordby