Historically I am not one to set goals or make resolutions. I think that reluctance stems from the recognition that we mostly fall short and then have to deal with the failure. The other day I was watching, of all things, House Hunters and this guy in the couple made a point of needing to be able to post his annual goals on his bathroom mirror. This was something his wife didn’t especially want to see every day, so they wanted their new home to have separate vanities in the bathroom. I thought the guy was way over the top, but it got me thinking. While goal setting presents risks, it offers real opportunities: to prioritize how I use my time, to remind myself of what is important to me, to feel accomplished when something is achieved. Of course, I don’t need to share them publicly since that adds pressure, but what the heck. What is my blog for if not to take some risks, so here goes:
Read Moby Dick.
[No other story is referenced as often in other books.
It appears on lists of the best American novel.
And yet, somehow, I never read it.
I think it is time.]
Write everyday – or realistically almost every day.
[I only posted 29 essays on my blog in 2023.
My goal has been weekly.
Perhaps it is time to reconsider my goal.
Okay, my goal for 2024 is to reassess how often I want to add to my blog.]
Send out 10 query letters to literary agents.
[probably more]
Accept rejection and continue onward.
Stop wanting more!
[I have enough.
Be more Zen,
Let go of expectations.
Exhale the want.
Inhale the beauty,
Appreciate the gifts,
Even on cold, damp, gray days.
Hear the music: bird calls, the wind in the trees, voices harmonizing.
See the splendor: light, color, richness rendered on a Sargent canvas.
Receive what is given,
Feel the love expressed in a glance, in a gesture.
Let it fill me.
Trust the love.
Trust the relationships.
The child in me still wants…]
Plan a trip.
Sort through the clutter.
[Simplify]
Gary, my husband, upon reading the above, said, “Good luck with that. I thought reading Moby Dick was enough.” Maybe it is ambitious, but I’m going to try. Let’s check back in a few months, meanwhile, Happy New Year! Wishing you all a peaceful, joyful, and healthy year ahead whether or not you set goals or make resolutions.
Stories I Tell Myself 
I find it most interesting to contrast the concrete steps you discuss-read Moby Dick, write every day, send 10 query letters-with those that are about changing the way you think. I really don’t know how people do that. Be more Zen, let go of expectations, see the splendor, trust the love. Those are enormous undertakings.
I can more easily relate to concrete, definable steps. Even if it is a lot of effort, and to me, reading Moby Dick, sounds like a monumental task, at least you can measure it, do it in little bits and eventually accomplish the task.
On the other hand, big change is never accomplished without trying. And, as is typical for you, you are willing to put yourself out there. Good for you.
I am sure, lots of people reading this blog post are thinking about their own goals for the upcoming year. I am planning to work less and have more time to do things I enjoy-gardening, taking care of myself, seeing my granddaughters. That’s my goal. On the other hand, I have no plan to improve any of the many flaws in my thinking. If I were to open that box, I fear what I might find inside. I’d rather try to read Moby Dick-all 427 pages of it.
Thank you
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Yeah, you are correct. It is probably wiser to establish measurable goals. Let’s see what happens with these. Meanwhile, don’t be afraid of looking inside yourself – I’m not afraid of what you’d find. Of course, you seem to be doing just fine – as they say, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
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Let us know when to start calling you Ishmael. (And just keep being you/doing what you’ve been doing. It’s good stuff. Resolve to just keep being Linda. 🩷)
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Not quite ready for Ishmael. I’ll keep you posted. Great advice! Thanks
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My husband Joe advises that Moby Dick is not the great American novel. He set it as a goal to read it a few years back. He did complete it but was pretty miserable reading it. We both wish you the best with your 2024 goals.
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Interesting – I’ve gotten one comment on Facebook that they loved it so we’ll just have to see 😊. Thanks though for your encouragement.
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