Happy New Year--2010!

I like the feeling of having a new beginning. As I look down and see a larger waist than I had two weeks ago, and look in the mirror to see crow's feet wrinkles at the corner of my eyes that weren't there last year, I realize that a new beginning doesn't necessarily give me a new, younger body. It just gives me a new starting point to try to arrest the effects of aging.
It also means that I can think critically about my goals and where I want to go and what I'd like to do for the next year. Here are some things I'd like to do:

1. Slow down. I've been working 12-14 hour days and I'm worn out. It's because I've waited so long to have the privilege of doing this work, and now I can't slow down. My goal is to have the presence of mind to pause before I'm invited to speak, write, or participate in a professional activity, and seriously measure out whether or not it is realistic for me to do it.

2. Invest in my marriage and family relationships. Sam and I are looking seriously at scheduling in more time together and more opportunities to get away from the daily grind. We have had such fun when we've had the time to roam around together. Now that we are more middle-aged than ever before, we need to make good use of our time. I would also like to have time to take my mother away a weekend here and there. I do not know how long I will have her, so it is best to do what I can, while I can.

3. Invest time in my friends. My quality of life has gone downhill in some ways, because I live in front of my laptop, and not with my friends. I really want to be able to dash off for an afternoon here and there, and run riot doing fun things, or nothing--just to be with my friends. My friends are, in many cases, closer to me than my own siblings, and I am tired of being without them.

4. I want to pursue the arts more this year. Ever since I started this new career 10 years ago, I have hardly attended a concert, have not been involved in the music ministry of my church (for the most part), and have not visited the local FaSoLa group--shape note singers. I would like to do much more of that. In fact, I'm also toying with the idea of getting into an orchestra if I can locate a good bass clarinet that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
Oh, and did I mention that I want to get a baby grand piano?

5. I want to get my house in order. It has been said that to men, a house is a responsibility and a sign of stability. For women, it is an extension of our identities. Well, for the record, I don't like what this house says about me. Our bedroom has the worst collection of oddball furniture in it and this horrid dark brown wall that seemed like a good idea a year ago. The study looks like a cyclone hit it--papers everywhere, the desk heaped up with who-knows-what. We need cupboards all across one wall in there, and then the rest can become a guest room. I'm sick of how it looks now. Our bathrooms also need to be redone--especially our master bath. Our closet needs to be reconfigured. I'd like to paint the whole house, put up curtains, and make the house mine. Perhaps that can be done next summer when I have my 5 week vacation (yipeeeee!)

6. I'd like to be able to climb a major Southern California peak sometime this coming year. I'm only 50, and it's time now to do this, or it will never be done again. My knees might give out before I get to climb Half Dome or Mount Whitney again. So part of this goal involves me becoming much more active by walking a great deal more and getting more exercise. I can do this!

7. I want to help Stepdaughter #3 get ready for her wedding this summer. Yes, she got engaged last night and now we are looking toward a wedding in 6-7 months. I'm trying now to think about how Sam and I can contribute in a meaningful way--beyond financial support--and be part of this milestone.

8. I'm going up for advancement to full professor in the fall of this year. That will be incredibly helpful, financially. In the meantime, I'll need to pull together a portfolio beyond what I already have assembled. It will make a big difference for me to do this.

9. Along with my friend, Carla, I am launching a new television program this month called, "This Life." My goal in regard to this activity is that I will be able to feel comfortable and competent with the filming and talk show processes. It should be fun and challenging.

Off the top of my head, these are the things that I'd like to do this coming year. There are lots of things to aim for. Seeing the list makes me realize why I'm so tired, too. Perhaps my life would be more manageable if I were a "Johnny-one-note" kind of person. But I'm not.
So Happy New Year to those of you who are my faithful readers. Thank you for being part of my life. May your dreams and goals for the New Year come to fruition, and next year at this time, may you be grateful for all that God has allowed in the ensuing year.