2008's going to be a big one for me. In May, it'll be Two Score. Four Decades. Fortay. The big 40! People say I still look like I'm in my twenties but they obviously aren't looking too close. I'm excited to be forty, it's a badge of respect. I finally feel grounded and secure in myself to be able to put myself out there and hopefully make a difference. I feel like I've earned 40.
At 10, all I knew was that I wasn't fitting in and didn't know how to make things different.
At 20, I was raring to go but was so afraid I wouldn't get there that I couldn't stop to feel the beautiful sun on my skin. My parents offered me a trip to Greece for three weeks with my sister as a college graduation present, but I turned it down and asked for a mattress. I needed a job and a bed, and that was my priority. I only slightly regret that decision. It would have been a great experience, but at the time, I was focusing on survival.
At 30, my path was clear. I was getting married and ready to start a family. I accomplished my primary goal at the time of setting up my career, getting licensed and securing the career path I had worked on for twelve years.
And now at 40.... I'm ready to dive into the unsafe waters and make a commitment to swim. I've got my marriage, kids and career so I can finally play. And my version of playing is to write and write some more. Forties are about making my dream my reality.
To that end, my challenge for 2008 is to write 1,000 words per week. Fifty-two weeks in a year equals 52,000 words. Enough to qualify as a book. No editing, just raw material. We'll see where it leads me. The journey is in full swing. :-)
What's your plan for 2008?
What are you willing to do and how are you getting there?
Nostrovia! A toast to you. A toast to me. Happy Holidays!
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2 comments:
I will be 42 and really enjoy where I am. I won't lie though. Turning forty was hard. It was up and down for about six months before I finally settled into myself. I don't know why this number carries so much weight.
I need to start taking better care of myself physically. My husband has been telling me that. It's not as easy to bounce back as it was in my 20s. But that's really my only gripe.
I admire people who set goals. I'm always afraid to, because I'm really hard on myself if I don't reach them. I'd rather just work toward something at my own pace (hmm...old lady pace!)
:-)
I've always been a goal oriented person, but tend to complete only about half of them. Still they give me a path to follow, so I tend to be easy on myself.
I get you on the physical health part - I've been telling myself I'll lose weight every New Years since 2005. So far, no go. I guess it is just one step at a time. For me, it's getting off my computer butt & getting to work. But it's so much more fun to blog than to run. :-)
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