There are many ways to review life. You can review specific segments of time, aspects of living, commitments, goals, and more. Yesterday I did a quick review of the year past by reviewing the photos we took and saved. There were a lot of good times in the past twelve months including some great outdoor adventures, gardening, a beautiful wedding, holiday celebrations, and other significant events including birthdays and graduations.
A review of the year in any way gives you perspective about the time past and the time ahead. This kind of review also helps you to know what you value and what you want to work for in your life.
So what will the year ahead bring--what efforts and goals am I striving for. Unsurprisingly, it's more of the same.
Celebrations great and small
As in the year past, I want to continue to celebrate holidays and people's accomplishments. Celebrations bring about happiness, create good memories, and signify the good possible. Celebrations are a valuable part of life. We never regret a thoughtful, purposeful celebration.
Investments
I read a great quote on twitter by a wise man signifying that what we invest in today, we will enjoy in five to ten years. This is a good outlook which made me look back at my investments five to ten years ago--investments of time, commitment, dollars, and good work. As the quote suggests, my family is enjoying the rewards of those investments--investments focused on living well, caring for one another, and building loving, welcoming homes and camaraderie. I want to invest in more of the same in ways that will support my growing and changing family and better serve the greater community too in ways that promote greater love, peace, and good living.
Adventures
My favorite pastime is simple, mostly outdoor adventures that bring an element of positive challenge and surprise. I love seeing new places, tackling new challenges, and broadening my perspective of what it means to be alive. The year will include more of these adventures in the days ahead.
Simplicity
The theme of "less things, more time" continues to be a mantra that I live by. And as I live by that mantra, I realize that is "less things" has to be "less, but right things." Having a few quality items to support your lifestyle is important, and making the time to identify and acquire those things can spell a better experience of life. I'll continue to reduce the things we have at home to create more time, but I'll save the items that truly contribute to a good life, items such as the right cooking pans, outdoor adventure supplies/clothing, entertaining items, and learning/research/writing/thinking devices.
Health
As many say, "If you don't have your health, you have nothing." I would change that to, "If you don't have your best health, you have nothing." Many as they age deal with health issues, but everyone can strive to do their best by their health. Good health equals good energy and good energy gives you what you need to achieve what is most important to you.
Resilience
Life will throw you some curve balls and there will be bad times. This is sadly true, but the better we live day to day, the more resilient we will be when bad times strike.
No judgement, yet advocacy for what is right and good
People will disappoint you in life. You may desire more from them than they are willing to give or you may expect them to act differently than they do. Reserving judgement and being your best self puts you in a good position when this happens. Often people that disappoint you one day may surprise you the next--acting without judgement gives you the chance to embrace that surprise and strengthen that relationship.
On the other hand, sometimes people do act in dangerous and destructive ways. That is when judgement and speaking up is essential. If you see something that is dangerous and destructive and you don't act, then you are part of the problem. It is essential to speak up and act as you can if harm or hurt is evident or expected. That's how we help each other to do what's right in life. When we speak up and act, we not only help the potential victims, but we help to direct the potential perpetrator of bad acts too.
The year's plan
This year will be a year of many small, mostly outdoor, adventures. It will be a year close to home with a focus supporting friends and family wherever and whenever I can. In the future, I'd like to plan for a greater adventure, but that's not the main objective right now. It will be a year of holding tight to the values and life ways above. Onward.