Of Goals and Clutter
Well, here it is, January 7. When I set my goals for the year, one was to be much more consistent in keeping this blog up to date. And here we are… OK, today is the first day of my blogging year.
On December 31st, I finally had an empty house. I had planned on going out for a retreat day, but the weather was cold, the library was closed, and the house was snug, so I told hubby to pretend I wasn’t there. I had a wonderful retreat right here on my comfy sofa.
I always like to take time to review the previous year and plan for the New Year. This year, after the tumultuous year 2009 was for so many (including us), I had great expectations for 2010. As I reviewed and prayed, I began to feel a sense of expectancy. Then joy. Then anticipation. I wrote. I planned. I prayed some more. I set goals. Lots of them. I felt 35 and on the verge of new life.
Later, as I headed out for a walk (one of my goals) I saw this on the tree in our front yard. I love January in California, where the buds appear within a week of Christmas. As I walked over to examine the new growth, I recognized my life – fresh buds, surrounded by last year’s leaves. Dead, dry leaves. Stubborn leaves that had not succumbed to the winds and the rains. Leaves that were contributing absolutely nothing to the task of the tree for this new season.
This has been a problem I’ve faced for most of my life – the fear of letting go of that which no longer brings or has life. I have a lot of projects that are unfinished. Projects that probably should be abandoned. But, what if… what if I could resuscitate them? What if I could repurpose them? So they cling to the branch of my life, cluttering and crowding out the new growth.
This year, as I face the fact that at 62 with an aging mother who needs ever more help, I need to be ever more strategic if I’m going to age successfully and well, I must also face the fact that my life is cluttered and the clutter has to go if I"m to finish well. When I had walked my 5000 steps, I came home a eliminated some of the more unattainable and over-reaching goals from my list. And on the 2nd, I spent the day cleaning my office. Clutter, you must go this year! New growth, blossom and thrive!
(BTW, I still feel 35 and on the verge of new life. I’m just going to try to be a little smarter as I go.)
Labels: goals, growth, new year
Friday, January 01, 2010
Happy New Year
Can you believe it’s 2010? Just 10 years ago we spent the evening watching the new millennium cross the world time zones and breathing a sigh of relief when Y2K didn’t take out Europe or the East Coast. Our son was in a high school debate league, so we celebrated with a group of home school friends by taking turns doing impromptu speeches. Not your typical New Year’s Eve celebration, but it seemed to fit the crazy mood of the year.
This year we are home, just hubby and I. We enjoyed crab, champagne, and a movie. The kids left yesterday after spending five wonderful days with us. They flew out last night and had today to prepare for their new tradition: a New Year’s Day chili party. Throughout DS’s years at home, we celebrated the New Year at a hot dog party with friends from our single years. The kids would spend the day watching movie after movie, a rare treat designed to keep them quiet while the adults caught up on a year’s worth of life. Now DS and DIL are creating their own tradition with friends from their single years. And we’ll be eating hot dogs with some “very old (but very dear) people.” Life goes on.
Whether your 2009 was wonderful or terrible, I pray that 2010 be many times better. Decide now that you will love and live life. Every minute of it. Blessings!
Labels: new year, traditions