2012 Review (Part 4)

        Back on January 1st  of this year, I made and posted a list of dreams for 2012.   I reviewed that list in March, in June, and once again in September.   Throughout the year, I occasionally referred to that list and, dare I say it?  I used it as a guide for some of what I did in 2012.  I plan to make another such list on January 1st of 2013 but I want the new list to be fresh and not tainted by a recent review.  To finish off 2012, I will note three things that I can still focus on for the remaining 31 days of the year and I will pat myself on the back for taking three other steps in the direction I wanted to go way back last January.

       Ugh.  I started this post with such enthusiasm but then, when I took a close look at the list, all I saw was a clear portrait of failure.  I haven't been taking Ellie for afternoon walks.  I can barely get myself home from work, let alone go out on a neighborhood walk!  I have not spent three minutes a day stretching (though I do spend 15 minutes or so three times a week stretching).  I did not go to Ohio, nor Alaska, nor on a solitary road trip, nor regularly to the Farmer's Market here in town.  I didn't test drive the new VW Beetle (but I am quite satisfied with my little Oskar beetle so that is okay) nor have I had much fun with getting dressed in the morning.  I find myself just wearing the same old stuff because it's fast and easy.  But, lest I be too mean to myself, all of these things that I didn't do?  It's okay with me.  There were reasons they didn't happen and no one died as a result of me not doing any of them so it's okay.  Let's see if they show back up on the 2013 list.

         There WERE a few things that I did manage to do.  I DID get a snail mail birthday card in the mail to all my siblings (except Noel but that's only because his birthday is yet to come.  I will get that one in the mail, I know).  I DID take lots of photos and even posted some of them to this blog.  I do like doing that and I imagine something involving photography might show up on the 2013 list.  For sure, I paid attention to what the beautiful Ms Meg had to say.  That young woman is a bright light in my life and often brings me away from the serious side and into the playful side of life.  I will also give myself points for not being so paralyzed by the notion of change.  My curiosity seems to be overwhelming the fear of change and I kinda like that.

     
         I'm glad I thought to review my to do list for 2012 this morning.  I am looking forward to seeing what gets thrown down for 2013.  I imagine some of the same kinds of things will find their way onto the list but I also am confidant that there will be some surprises too.  I'll let you know on January 1, 2013.

Fifty Ways To Leave Your Lover

 Okay, not really. I just liked the sound of it and I thought maybe it would get you to open the page.  Besides,  Paul Simon already did that one and, I might add, he did a fantastic job.

     No, this post is actually a collection of 50 things to do in 2012.  I have a best friend who told me about this list that she makes most years.  The idea is to compose a list of 50 things that you want to do in the new year. Not resolutions (I resolve to do whatever sounds so hostile) but rather intentions, as in, I intend to make these things happen.  Not 10 things, not 20 or 30 things , but 50 things.  Fifty things because it is hard to go past the first 10 or 20 things and the more you have to dig the more you might come to something new and/or meaningful.  I'm not supposed to stall around on the list either.  Just supposed to have had it.  Here goes:

1.  Go out to the beach at least once a month.

2.  Get at least 7 hours of sleep every night.

3.  Make time to paint weekly.

4.  Explore the world of ipads.

5.  Visit Alex in San Francisco.

6.  Continue to do weekend morning bike rides.

7.  Think twice before I buy anything that is not consumable.

8.  Embrace the trip to Alaska in June.

9.  Remember that life is short and then you die.

10.  Continue to walk or ride my bike to work whenever possible.

11.  Make time for connecting with friends, both new and old.

12.  Make time for seeing and supporting my mother as she moves through her 90th year.

13.  Laugh more.

14.  Let my eyes shine more.

15.  Make just three minutes more a day to stretch my body.

16.  Embrace the trip to NYC in April.

17.  Be more kind to myself.

18.  Not whine about the weather.

19.  Plan a birthday party for Meg in April.

20.  Send birthday cards to all my siblings (not just an email or phone call - a snail mail card).

21.  Accept with curiosity (as opposed to resentment) the jury summons for 1/23.

22.  Give blood at least 4 times during 2012 (at least if they let me donate).

23.  Go to the Farmer's Market here in town at least every other week.

24.  Pay attention to the rules and decide for myself if I want to follow them.

25.  Remember the person that I wanted to be.

26.  Order new walking shoes so that I don't wreck my knees even more.

27.  Take a look again at a daily meditation habit.

28.  Write, write, and write some more.

29.  Recognize that the moment is all that I have - not the past, not the future, the moment now.

30.  Breathe and pause when necessary.

31.  Renew the nightly dream journal.

32.  Take Ellie for a neighborhood walk at least two afternoons a week.

33.  Take more photographs.

34.  Go up to Bell Springs in the summertime.

35.  Say no when I want to say no.

36.  Drink more water.

37.  Get reacquainted with my mind.  We've drifted apart.

38.  Be playful again.

39.  Take another solitary road trip.

40.  Go to Ohio.

41.  Repot the house plants.

42.  Notice color and detail in the world.

43.  Look at people's faces.  Really look at them.

44.  Have fun getting dressed in the morning.

45.  Lighten up.

46.  Read at some time other than right before I go to sleep.

47.  Pay even more attention to what Meg says.

48.  Write more love letters.

49.  Test drive the new VW Beetle.

50.  Be open to adventure, novelty, and change.