Happy 2016 and Happy New Year!
Once again it’s that time of year when we reflect back on the past year and think of the goals we accomplished, the goals we didn’t quite reach, and the memorable life-experiences we may have had. Perhaps the end or beginning of a job, the end or beginning of a relationship, travel to an exotic place, the relief of completing a degree or certification, losing the thirty extra pounds we managed to gain since graduating college, paying off a loan, the death of a family member or friend, celebrating a new marriage or a divorce, buying or selling a home, receiving the news of someone close who’s been diagnosed with cancer, succumbed to it, or conquered it… these are the moments that linger at the forefront or our memories when we look back on the past year.
Naturally, many of us make one or more well-intentioned New Year’s resolutions. I’m one of those people. I even make a list of goals every year. Some of which I accomplish and others that inevitably end up right back on my list the following, or every, January. The resolutions and goals I set for myself typically revolve around being healthier (lose weight, work out more, eat healthier, etc.), taking classes, finishing a degree or certification, paying off bills and saving more money, writing and reading more, completing writing projects, getting published, making more time for the things I enjoy doing (kayaking, riding my motorcycle, bicycling, hunting, fishing), and traveling to places I’ve never been to before. Now that I think about it, I feel selfish and foolish that they all seem very self-centered.
Seeing as how I haven’t yet made my list of goals for 2016, I’m going to approach it differently from now on. For every self-centered resolution or goal I create, I will also create one centered around the following: spending more time with family and friends, meeting and getting to know new people, reconnecting with family and friends that I haven’t seen in years, finding ways to help others in need, and volunteering for charity and charitable events.
In June I’ll be 45 years old. I feel extremely privileged to have experienced the past 44 years on this planet and while I may not be wealthy or have all of my wants, I have it better than most people and have come to understand and believe that if we have the ability to improve upon the lives of others and for the greater good, then we should do so whenever and wherever possible.
As I wrote earlier, these will be “well-intentioned” resolutions and goals. Given my track record over the past few years, it’s unlikely that I will accomplish all of them but I will damn sure put one hell of a good dent in them… bring on 2016!
James
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