Well, 2009 is in the books. It’s over and it’s never coming back. The opportunities and challenges are gone. You will never get them back, but you may have to deal with the consequences, good or bad.
Personally, 2009 was a roller coaster in every since of the word. To sum it all up in a few words: I got engaged, I bought a house and I got cancer. That’s a big year, and that’s a lot of life to go through in 12 months.
Those things are important and I acknowledge the impact they have had on who I am and who I will be, but that’s not really the purpose of this post.
A new year, to many, is a new beginning. That’s the purpose. New goals to accomplish. That’s the exciting part. That’s why people celebrate the beginning of a new year, because it’s a chance to change the things they don’t really like about themselves. They know this is the year they become the person they want to be. It’s a time to make resolutions and “really change.” A fresh start.
Well, that’s a bunch of garbage. We all go into the new year will a laundry list of things that we want to change about ourselves (ALERT: this is not original) and we fail. We fall into the same old comfortable routine and nothing changes about the way we think or the things we do. The truth is that everyday is a chance to start over, we should not wait for January 1 to start.
As I have said before, I set goals, I try not to make resolutions. My goals haven’t really changed since last year, but I have added a few. I have added financial goals, some spiritual goals, and even some more standard “New Year’s” goals. Here is a short list of my most difficult/most compelling goals for the next year:
1. Make an extra house payment this year – This may sound like a large goal. It is, but that’s the point. If it weren’t tough and didn’t involve some sort of strain, would it really be worth it? Would it teach me anything?
2. Do little things for people more often – A vague goal, to be sure, but an important one. The idea behind this one: If I am trying to make someone else’s situation better, I am making the world a better place. This helps me learn something about myself and to help someone else. There are so many people in the world who are looking for a little relief – maybe I could help out. I know, I know, how Haley Joel Osment of me.
3. Lose 10 pounds for my wedding – Man, I sound like everyone else in the country, but I am extending my fitness kick from 2009 into 2010 and trying to reach an ideal weight not only for my wedding, but also for my health. It’s important to me that I a get into better shape. To make things even more cliche, I am also going to run at least one 5K during the course of 2010.
So, there you have it. Those are my goals for 2010. They are practical, ambitious and reachable. So, what are your goals and ambitions for 2010? What are you going to do to improve your life and the lives of those around you? Feel free to leave them in the comments on the post.
Happy New Year. I hope it’s everything you think it can be.
RCW
p.s. – I have been thinking about what’s new for 2010 for the blog. Keep a look out for some of those things THIS MONTH.
p.p.s – Thanks to everyone who during the last year has asked me, “When are you going to update your blog?” It means more than you know… even if you follow the question with, “I have to have something to read on the toilet.” We all have to be good at something…
Robo, love the post. As to #2, I have a favorite quote that I try to live by….”My happiness is guaranteed if I help someone find it today.” – anonymous
My dad was my role model in the “help someone find it today” category. Snow days found him out on the road with a big thermos of hot coffee and a bunch of styrofoam cups looking for stranded people. Sometimes it takes so little to make a difference in someone’s life. You’ve made a difference in mine. I love you!
Engaged, a house, and cancer… You should really try to pace yourself.