There is something to writing your goals down. I didn't want to at first, but once I did, I felt accountable to complete them. On top of that, I posted them here on the blog so every now and then I will get reminders asking where I stand on certain goals.
Keep a mixture of goals that you can do in a day and some that would take some planning. That way, you won't be discouraged if each goal is a tremendous feat.
So as you now know, I wrote down and posted 39 goals on January 5th that I wanted to accomplish during my 39th year on this earth. I blogged about each accomplishment for a while when I completed a goal but for some reason, I stopped doing that. I thought I would post a brief status on where I stand on each of the goals I set out to accomplish this year.
39 things I will do for my 39th year in this world:
-Read 5 books from beginning to end without skipping ahead
This might sound easy, but I have a hard time focusing on reading a book. My mind tends to wander a bit but there've been a few books that kept my focus and I would recommend both. I have completed "When things fall apart" by Pema Chodron and "Leave the Light On" by Jennifer Storm. "When things fall apart" was handed to me to borrow from a friend and I picked up "Leave the light on" at a book store in Proviencetown. I loved them both! I love stories of addiction and recovery and books on how to be a better person. I prefer Non-Fiction over Fiction.
- Win one photo contest
I haven't won a photo contest, but I was fortunate enough to be chosen for a few juried art shows this year. Once at MOPLA and the other at a juried art show at the 1650 Gallery in Los Angeles. I have found that a big key to winning a contest is actually entering one.
- Go skiing at least once this season
Um...not yet.
- Take a picture of Max in the snow
Completed! On the drive to Yosemite, we saw snow and I remembered my goal so I placed him on the snow mound to take a shot. I didn't get the best picture and he didn't have the best time but, CHECK! Goal completed.
- Go to a tattoo show
Not yet - However I love tattoo art and photograph it wherever I see it.
- Publish a travel article
Looking back...I am not sure why I wrote this goal. I have been traveling and away from my home since June and have been blogging about my experiences so I could technically say that each time I post is a published travel article.
- Sleep on a strangers couch
Completed! I have a few examples for this one and only one was an actually couch. I met 4 people for the first time face to face so far on this trip. Deb and Kim in Canada, Lauren in Montana and Amy in Ohio. With these visits I slept in an Airstream, a couch and the floor.
Um, no but jumped in the ocean off the coast Maine in October. That's even more challenging, right?
- Try indoor skydiving
Not yet
- Complete my house project with 5 shots together in a custom frame
I visited the Race Point ranger station again in Ptown this year, but didn't document it like I did the following year. I still plan to group these shots together.
- Sell or donate everything in my garage
Before I left, I donated all of my work clothes and suits to a non profit group called "Clothes the Deal." There are others such as "Dress for Success." I would recommend doing this if you have nice quality dress clothes to donate to a good cause. I still have work to do in the garage when I return.
- Host a dinner party
Since I haven't been home, this will have to wait.
- Take an art class
I look forward to doing this soon
- Wear a dress and go somewhere fancy
Um, no not yet.
- Spend a weekend without a phone, without texting, watching tv, or any kind of human contact
As much as I've wanted to do this, I haven't as of yet. There have been times where I didn't have cell reception, but there were other campers around so I don't think it counts.
- Watch a local play production
Completed! I went to see "Caberet" in Boston. Wonderful. No photographs allowed.
- Go to Mexico
Not yet.
- Run in a 5k race
Not yet.
- Go to a music festival
Not yet.
- Rent my home and live next to the water somewhere
Completed! I've been renting my house the entire time I've been gone and this is one of the reasons I am able to do what I do. It just happened to turn out that I was able to stay in a beautiful home on Bailey Island, Maine because of two very generous people, Adam and Susan.
- Spend time on an island
Yes. See above. :)
- Take pictures underwater
I finally pulled out my one time use waterproof camera and took a few pics. Since it's film, I will have to wait and see how it turns out.
- Win the lottery (you never know...)
I know...um, no.
- Volunteer
Not yet
- View a live show taping (preferably Oprah before she leaves)
Not Yet
- Write a book review
I'm not sure why I put this as a goal, but I did. Once I finish my five books, I will post a review on one of them.
- Surf again
Not yet
- Ride on a train
I planned to take the train into Boston a few weeks ago but as it turned out, I was waiting on the wrong side and on the wrong tracks. So, I saw the train I was supposed to ride on. Instead, I visited the Museum of Bad Art.
- Take a long road trip (I think this is becoming a habit)
Currently in progress.
Last but not least...these are goals I completed at the beginning of the year that I've already blogged about. You can click on them to see the blog.
-Have my photographs displayed in a cafe'
- Bake a cake
- Take Max out on a camping trip with "trailie"
- Visit the Salton Sea
Since these were written, I have had many other small goals that I've completed and some that am thinking about putting on a list for next year.
I wouldn't call it a goal but one of the biggest decisions I've made for my life was living it without alcohol. It's been over eighteen months now and it has been the best gift I've given myself. It's not an easy road by any means, in fact it can be painful. I have to say that my life has changed dramatically for the better because of it. For those of you searching and wondering if you can live your life without it, you can. You might lose friends, invitations, weight, and headaches but what you will gain is so much more valuable and precious...a meaningful life.
What are you going to do with yours?
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