Taking the Long View

Last year, I went out on a limb and made a New Year's resolution. I'm not normally one to make resolutions, but I thought this one was a sure thing.

I resolved that Ren would not have any back surgeries in 2013.  Well, we all know how that ended up. And we almost made it, too. November 2013 is pretty darn close to January 2014. What a disappointment! I totally expected 2013 to be the one and only time I managed to keep a New Year's resolution.

So, instead of resolutions, I've vowed to stick to making lists. Lists have helped stave off my anxiety and keep me focused through a lot of life's insanity. Lists help me keep my eye on the essence of what needs to be done. My lists are usually short and uninspired:

• Call the dentist
• Pay bills
• Submit application
• Take kids to gymnastics

But sometimes, they are pure gold. Once, twenty years ago, I made a list called: "Things I Want to Do with My Life:"

• Live near mountains
• Travel or live overseas
• Write
• Having a meaningful yet challenging job
• Get married (maybe eventually) and have kids (maybe eventually)

The list is relatively short and in many ways oversimplified, but the things on it ended up molding most my 20s and 30s. Some of these (like finding a meaningful job and having kids) took awhile, but I eventually managed to cross everything off. Looking back at this list got me thinking that maybe it's time for a new one. So, here I present:

The Things I Want to Do with My Life 2.0

• Be fully present 
• Show as much grace under pressure as I can muster at any given moment
• Treat my body well enough to make it the next 40 years
• Write a book
• Stay married 

Maybe this list of goals isn't as inspired as the first. I suppose only time will tell. I do know that none of the things on it will be easy for me (except, God willing, the last one). Hopefully, as long as these are not New Year's resolutions, I can pull them off.