Well, this is definitely an annual tradition of mine. I don’t make New Year’s resolutions, but I what I do is make goals for each new year. In June I check back to see how well I’m doing with realizing those goals, and at the end of the year, I’ll recap and see what happened and what I accomplished.
It’s interesting for me to look back at the last several years’ worth of posts and see how my goals have changed and what I did or did not accomplish. Most of my goals have been horse-related, but in 2016, everything shifted when I realized I was finally free to pursue some other goals that I had not been able to pursue since 2004. They were goals I gave up on, hopes I lost, dreams I realized were not meant to be fulfilled. I let those things all collapse; I stopped trying to hold on to them, and I let God take the lead in my life.
And suddenly, dreams were being fulfilled that I had only ever given a fleeting glimmer hope to. Life changed for me dramatically in 2016 – spiritually, physically, emotionally.
So, that means for 2017, my goals are once again re-shaped. I’ve figured out I really can live and do the things I want, and make the most of every day. So, here are some of my goals for 2017:
*Be happy (I think this is reasonable, right?)
*Live every day to the fullest (OK, I did this in 2016, so I am well practiced, right?)
*Lose 30 more pounds (hey, I lost almost 70 in 2016…)
*Stay Healthy (this is a given, right? 5 years cancer free down and done. I’m ready for 5 more…)
*Enjoy every minute I possibly can with the most amazing new man that has blesses my life (yes please)
*Photograph Eagles (that’s the bird, not the football team…and it involves a long trip to find them)
*Photograph at the Everglades ( yep… this. This is happening in 2017).
*Complete my newest costume (already started in Sept 2016 – ETA to finish, end of Jan 2017)
*Put together 1-2 more costumes for 2017 for myself
*Build 1-2 costumes for my boyfriend
*Suit up at C2E2 2017
*Suit up Wizard World Chicago 2017
*Attend Dragon*Con 2017 (already on the docket! Ticket bought, hotel room paid!)
*Attend New York Comic Con 2017 (hmmm… maybe!??!)
*Go to Seattle with my most wonderful man!
Very different goals for 2017 – no horse related goals at all. I think it’s safe to say, I have hit a point in my life where I am just simply happy to have the horses, blessed to know them, and lucky I can afford them 🙂 .
Of course, I should list win the lottery as a goal -LOL!!!
But I no longer have goals of owning a farm, or pursuing showing, or even going to the National Drive. I just want to enjoy the horses, watch them continue to be happy, and hopefully support Chewbacca as long as I can, or at the very least make the best decisions for him as I need to when the time comes.
2016 has taught me so much, and I thank God for every single day I’ve been given. The hard lessons learned are a blessing, and without them, the good and beautiful and wonderful things in my life would not be so appreciated. I put my faith in God that He will direct 2017 for me exactly as it should.
I wish you the best for next year, and may you find your joy!
