Are you awake? Upright? Scrubbing off the greasy, sticky residue of 2023? Yeah? Me, too. Nonetheless, Happy New Year!
I have never been one to make resolutions. I have, though, been known to occasionally take stock of the day-to-day existence to see what tweaks I might want to make. Sometimes, I do this near my birthday, during a season change, while waiting for an appointment, or, say, on Dec. 31 of any given year. And, I did so at the turn of this particular new year. Do you know what I discovered in my deep reflection? Not much – nothing’s really changed. 2004, 2024 - I’d still like to work towards or improve on the same things I always do. Maybe I’ll add a soupçon of other supporting interests, but yeah, same old same old here for another turn around the sun.
I cheered this observation over one of my usual New Year’s Day dishes – cornmeal blini with “caviar” - a week deep into 2024.
Have I made progress on my road to Samesville? I’ve returned to and maintained progress towards health, career fulfillment, and personal interest aims – so perhaps yes, but slowly. Does my seemingly blasé approach mean I’m less committed or don’t “want it enough”? NO!
By removing the pressure of ridged timelines and the shackles of others’ opinions of what should be accomplished when, I’m releasing the anxiety and paralysis that impede any progress toward manifesting what I want. Getting there when I get there is better than not getting there at all. Not being tangled and restrained by pressure and stress will hopefully liberate any pent-up energy and productivity needed to succeed.
2023 seemed to be quicksand for many people I know. Life happened. Life diverted our attention away from the goals. But life sometimes lets up a bit, and we can get back on track. I’m looking at you, 2024!
Sure, I want things, and I most definitely want them now! But I’m steadily slinking towards where I’ve always headed - until I’m not. I’m staying the course and sneaking right past Quitter’s Day, the second Friday of the new year when many people abandon their resolutions - this year, commemorated on Jan. 12, 2024[1].
I wish you an equally slow and, hopefully, successful roll through 2024!
[1] https://nationaltoday.com/quitters-day/