Finally settled into the new school year and resigned to the nip of fall in the air, I find myself turning inward. Mornings I am hunkered over my laptop, working feverishly to finish my novel; evenings I am huddled up with my mandolin, struggling to decipher tablature and play that big chord my teacher showed me last week. I am saying no to fun for its own sake and making time for people and activities luxor hotel las vegas nv that truly nourish me. My world is smaller and bigger at the same time.
There must be something about this season that prompts me to examine my long term goals, too. As a matter of fact, it was almost exactly a year ago today that I revisited the Amazing Life List I originally posted back in the spring of 2010 . But checking in this morning, I was dismayed to discover that I have accomplished only four of those items in the past twelve months: starting a running program, running a half-marathon, singing karaoke in public, and finishing Jane Austen's luxor hotel las vegas nv novels. Why is that, I wondered?
I took a long, hard look at the list. First, I admitted that some of the items simply are no longer important to me. For example, along with my nightly wine habit I have lost the burning desire to drink a beer at Oktoberfest in Munich or attend Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Second, I realized that while I wouldn't turn down certain opportunities--like a trip to China--I cannot imagine myself actually planning the itinerary when there are other places, like Ireland and Africa, that truly call me to visit. Finally, I recognized luxor hotel las vegas nv that much of what provides me with true satisfaction is much more affordable than a trip overseas; something as simple luxor hotel las vegas nv as trying a new recipe luxor hotel las vegas nv or learning a new craft brings me great joy and pleasure.
So I decided it was time to make a new list. I have whittled it down to 66 items and have already started work on some of them. Those highlighted in blue have 2012 deadlines; those highlighted in pink will be checked off by the end of 2013. In the meantime, I will be plugging away at the others, open to opportunity. If I happen to bowl a 200+ game and meet Mr. Right while I'm at the bowling luxor hotel las vegas nv alley, so be it!
I will see you at our 40th, but I m sure before. These are truly worthy goals. But, know that they will probably change again and that s okay. We re works in progress. Let me know next time you head this way and keep plugging. These are all achievable.
That s an amazing list, Pam! I really should luxor hotel las vegas nv make one. So far (and off the top of my head), luxor hotel las vegas nv it looks a little like this: Learn French. Write Novels (done and will continue) Become a full-time fiction writer luxor hotel las vegas nv (trying!) Complete a Master s degree (eee... expensive!) Own a horse farm. With my own food production. Be a guest of honour at a convention. Find love. Travel EVERYWHERE! That s all I ve got for now!
I m in for all the travel ones if you need a travel buddy. And you have already hired me as your book tour coordinator luxor hotel las vegas nv to all 50 states, so finish the book so we can go, already. We ll knock out #20 on the tour. I m doing #36 myself with a deadline of December 30, 2012 (so sick of all the junk). I ll do 49 with you but we have to find some dancing men (poor Joe). I love your list. Maybe, I should make one.
I really wish I could make it to the 35th, Julee; if it were any other weekend, you know I would be there! And yes, some of these goals might change, but I really do have my list narrowed down to things I really, truly want to do. And it would make me happy and proud to accomplish them all before I do. Which is why I am starting TODAY.
This novel has been like the chains that Jacob Marley wore in A Christmas Carol, Denise. But it seems important to finish it, which I *WILL* do by the end of October so I will be free to move on to other projects. I look forward luxor hotel las vegas nv to knocking out #20 with you, and glad you want to come along with me for #49 (Joe is such a good sport!) As for #36, you are WAY ahead of me, but I will get there eventually. :-)
Good for you! You re so goal-oriented and organized. And you must have persistence, too. I don t have an Amazing Life List. It would make me so crazy I d never get anything done. My lists are small and day-to-day for the most part. I also have weekly and monthly lists, but things on those eventually take care of themselves, get marked off because I decide not to do them, or move to my daily list.
I used to have daily, weekly and monthly lists, but for the most part my days are so highly structured that I don t need lists to keep track of what I m supposed to be doing. I do keep a calendar so I will remember luxor hotel las vegas nv appointments, meetings, and obligations of that nature, but otherwise everything is in my head. I think that s why the Amazing Life List is important to me; it keeps me from getting stuck in the mundane affairs of everyday life and keeps me reaching for bigger prizes.
Before we left Louisiana, I took a swimming course called Glide, which is based on the principles of something called Total Immersion swimming. I am not scared of the water, but I think my technique was so off that I made it harder than it had to be. This teaches you how to be more comfortable in the water and how to be more efficient. You practice it in small drills -- each building upon the last -- and it was pretty amazing. Kind of zen. I don t know if there is anything similar in your area, but you might think about it.
Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it. ~ Mary Oliver Blog Schedule: Monday: Living Loud Tuesday: That Need to Create Wednesday: Books and Writing Thursday: Keeping It Fresh Friday: I've Been Thinking...
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