Today is my birthday. It is the last birthday I will celebrate that begins with a 4, unless I live another 351 years. I've officially completed forty-nine years of life and am, like it or not, leaping into my fiftieth. I am approaching my sixth decade. Sixth. Decade. Not sure, but I may be just a bit freaked out about that. My predominant thought is that I have arrived here with largely empty hands. I do have four amazing sons; clearly they are God's work, not mine. Lest we get sucked down the rabbit hole of All Good Things Are God's Work, let's just agree to agree that this is true, and let it stand.
I'm currently sitting at Panera with a Chai Tea Latte - my treat of choice - and I'm trying to look with sober judgement on the year past, and clear-eyed calculation toward the year ahead. Today I want to plant a stake. I want to use this year well. I want to begin strong and arrive at the end a better person; stronger, smarter, just better. I feel on the cusp of something and believe it is important to do this evaluation today. Now is the hour.
So, what to do? I've been thinking a lot about that question these last few weeks. My various journals are full of lists of resolutions and quasi-goals. My mission today was to finalize those goals; to think and pray and write until I arrive at some clarity. I'm notorious for over-thinking, and I outdid myself this time. I made a long list of goals - champagne wishes and caviar dreams. Then I organized them into twelve life-areas in which I am most in need of change. I cross-referenced them, of course, so the future me won't think the present/past me didn't realize that some things can be listed in more than one category. I wouldn't want the future me to think the present/past me was lacking vision or imagination. Clearly, one of us is a nerd. And I may be a bit too concerned about what I think of myself at some future time.
I will tell you about this, of course, but not all today. As I figure it out I'll share it, one byte at a time. You're welcome.
But here's a beginning.
I providentially came across Whole Living magazine's January edition, in which they outline a new-year kick-start; 28 days to detox and begin new, healthier routines. As I was eating my bigger-than-my-head carrot muffin with cream cheese frosting and lemon-cream cheese filling, it occurred to me that an overhaul of my eating habits is an appropriate place to begin, and so I shall. A detoxified blood stream is a sure step toward a clearer mind and if I follow this little four-week program faithfully I will be moving along the path toward multiple goals. Gotta love multitasking. I need a few days to procure the right food and other necessary accoutrements, so I tentatively plan to begin Week One on Monday. I will post again before then with the details, life notwithstanding, but if you want to, poke around the pertinent online content. Maybe you'll be inspired to join in.
Coming up, we will discuss health and self-care more fully, as well as mental and intellectual improvement; spiritual development; responsible financial practices; (personal) environment; artistic (visual), literary, and musical expression/appreciation; improvement in relational and social arenas; practice of homely arts; and some stuff that didn't comfortably fit anywhere. As always I covet your comments. I would love to see this blog develop into a community.
See you on the next page!
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