When in doubt, I employ my In ten years strategy. I visualize where I'd like to be in ten years and then create a path to that destination. That centers me and helps me to choose well when it comes to the activities I do and support.
So where do I want to be in ten years?
This question takes on new meaning at my post-teaching stage. Before, I always had multiple professional goals listed in my ten year plan, but now the professional arena comes a distant second to my personal, family and community focus.
Also, as I make my plan, in many ways it is more of the same--same goals I've had for a long time are still a priority and a challenge.
Simplicity
This is a big goal of mine with the theme of less things, more time at the center. I don't want to be mired in objects that require lots of time and effort, but instead I want to have as much time as possible to do what I value.
Sustainability
Like many, I want to be a good Earth citizen who doesn't squander resources, but instead lives with as much sustainability as possible. To do this requires time and learning. For example, I'd like to grow more foods inside my house during the winter. This requires some effort with regard to potting the vegetables and monitoring their growth. I have loved being able to go outside and pick my food almost all summer long and I wnat to continue that during the winter months in some ways.
Health
Since retiring from my 34-year teaching career, I've been learning a lot about health. This has challenged me to change so many of my routines including the groceries I buy, the activities I engage in, the meals I prepare and more. There's still lots to learn and many routines to update in this area. The reward for this focus is feeling good as well as less needed appointments at the doctor and less lost time due to ill health. In many ways our society makes this a difficult challenge since many of the foods that are advertised and accessible are unhealthy foods--you have to know what to avoid, and how to find the healthy foods and activities. Fortunately I have many friends and family members who are invested in this quest so I have good support.
Care
The top of my list includes care for my loved ones. Within my good friend and family circle there is lots of change happening, and this means I have to think carefully about the best ways to care and support within the new arenas presented. The more I focus on this lifeway, the more I realize how important it is to care for one another and how that helps each of us to thrive. Good health and good time helps with regard to care.
Knowledge
I want to learn more. Knowledge is a superpower, and today with access to the Internet and libraries, there are countless avenues to knowledge. I've finally been able to read again. My life was so busy and filled with countless tasks in the past year, that I didn't read much, but now I'm able to read again and I've got a big pile of books that I want to read. I suspect that I'll be reading a lot this winter and I'm really looking forward to reading and learning from the great books I've collected in the past few years. I just finished Caroline Kautsire's book, What Kind of Girl? I really enjoyed stepping into Kautsire's life in Malawi and her eventual immigration to the United States. Kautsire's spunk, honesty and drive energized me and helped me to see the world with new eyes. I look forward to following her story via her next book soon.
Openness and flexibility
As an educator, I always craved more surprise in my life. The teaching routine was arduous, tight and mostly predictable. Now my life includes far more surprise--it's an uncharted, less routine path. I like that, and find that the more I develop my ability to be open minded and flexible, the better I can take advantage of this new chapter.
Contribution
I continually look for ways to contribute. I believe that we all need to do what we can to create strong, positive families and communities.
Mom, wife and grandmom
I love my current role as a mom and wife, and look forward to being a grandmom someday. I take these roles seriously and want to better my skill with these roles as much as possible. Too often, I believe that society does not value or support these roles enough. That's a problem since good moms, wives and grandmothers help people to thrive and when people thrive our whole world is better.
So the ten-year path now is a path focused more on being than achieving. It's about being the person I hope to be for myself and others.
What's on your ten-year plan? Do you have any advice for me with regard to my plans? Onward.