Starting (Over)……

Hello friends!!!

It’s been entirely too long since I have last been on here – for many reasons. I could say it’s because I’ve been busy – which wouldn’t be a complete lie. I could say it’s because I haven’t had much to write about – which WOULD be one. Instead – I’ll be completely honest……..after my “Year of 40” has come and gone, I’m here to admit to all of you that I fell short in my ultimate goal of crossing all of those items off that list.

There are several reasons for that. Forty goals in one year is quite a lofty ideal to hold yourself to, for one. Two huge work projects (which were both completed successfully, by the way!) took a lot of time and energy out of me, too. Regardless of the reasons – I stand here before you today to hold myself accountable. I did complete some of those items, and I’m very proud of myself for what I did accomplish over the past year and a half. What upset me more than the fact that I wasn’t crossing those items off one by one was the fact that I wasn’t writing my blog anymore. The longer time went on I did grow to be a bit ashamed about the fact that my list kind of fell by the wayside, and then I grew even more distant from writing.

That stops today. I’m back here – doing what I love – and happy to announce that I’ve set some new goals for myself with a comfortable and realistic timeline of the next decade to reach them. I’m happy to share with all of you my “50 before 50” List! You might see some repeat items on this list, and that’s okay. It just means that item is dear to me and still a goal I want to reach. I’m using this list not as a yardstick by which I’ll measure my success, but rather as a road map for this journey through my next decade.

1. Complete a half marathon every year.
2. Create a podcast.
3. Learn to play the piano.
4. Learn to play the guitar.
5. Go on a road trip – solo.
6. Become a certified yoga instructor.
7. Visit Kinkora, Ontario. (Birthplace of my grandmother and home to one of the most beautiful churches I have ever seen.)
8. Attend a church service of a different religion.
9. Go to a drive-in movie.
10. Go kayaking.
11. Meditate daily. (Gonna be riding the Struggle Bus on this one, but I really want to try to make this a part of my daily routine.)
12. Learn a new language.
13. Have a public speaking engagement. (Hopefully it will be more that just one.)
14. Learn a new craft skill.
15. Organize all my old photos.
16. Buy a bike – and use it.
17. Learn how to swim.
18. Visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
19. Try (at least) one new recipe a month.
20. Travel somewhere by train.
21. Set foot in all five Great Lakes.
22. Enjoy a spa day – by myself.
23. Fly first class.
24. Learn sign language.
25. Visit the 9/11 Memorial in NYC. (I’ve actually been there before, but I couldn’t bring myself to go in the building.)
26. Visit the Fred Rogers Center. (Recently watched “Won’t You Be My Neighbor,” and I HAD to add this one.)
27. Go back to Washington DC. (I could spend days there.)
28. Attend a NFL game.
29. Send a personal card to one friend a month.
30. Visit Disneyworld.
31. Develop my sushi making skills.
32. Enjoy gardening more and freezing/canning more natural foods.
33. See the Tunnel of Trees.
34. Read the Bible – cover to cover. (I read the Bible almost every day, but there are still several passages I’ve never read before.)
35. Complete an adult coloring book.
36. Complete one random act of kindness a month.
37. Read one book a month.
38. Allow myself “sabbath” time weekly. (Sometimes my schedule doesn’t allow for Sunday rest, but I need to set time aside every week for extra time with the Lord.)
39. Host a dinner party. (Friendsmas doesn’t count toward this one.)
40. Skydive.
41. Have my make up professionally done. (Girly one, I know – but I’ve never afforded myself this luxury.)
42. Minimize.
43. Declutter. Declutter. Declutter.
44. Volunteer more – and for organizations that I normally don’t volunteer with already.
45. Take a class. (Can be for personal or professional development. I just want to keep learning.)
46. Post in my blog weekly.
47. Go on a church retreat once a year.
48. Run/walk 1,000 miles each year.
49. Write in my gratitude and prayer journal daily. (When you are being thankful for your blessings and praying for others, I feel it’s much harder to have a bad day.)
50. Write a book about this journey.

There you have it! Wish me luck, and – more importantly – JOIN ME!!! Can’t wait to share this journey with all of you!