New Year's Day seems a good time to look backward to see what was what. Looking ahead is too hard, except to just apply optimism and have a basketful of reaction plans in place.
Looking Back
What a year. Full of amazing goodness. The best things weren't at all my doing and I was just a witness. These are just a random sampling of those that come to mind in this moment in time.
- We loved living in a time we're able to watch our adult children around the globe live their lives.
- We were thrilled to have two new grandchildren added to the family.
- We experienced a worrisome layoff notice one year before I could reach my ten-year milestone that allows retirement with great benefits. And in one of those bad-brings-good examples, I had a new job created and offered to me by better folks so I can reach my tenth year. Six months of insecurity is nothing for a lifetime of benefits.
- After a stressful struggle with waiting, we finally moved into our new dream home. A year's delay gave us multiple lessons for life.
Looking Forward
I know better than to pretend I have much control other than to react well to what comes my way. These seem important.
- Ensure my employment and source of security continues, and add a fallback plan.
- Keep my body healthy and safe.
- Be a good partner to my mate.
- Find ways to be better to others than I am now.
What the heck — let's look way back. This year brings anniversaries of several life milestones, times when decisions, surprises, and changes changed everything forever.
EVENT
|
YEARS
|
| Birth |
65
|
| Moved to GA |
38
|
| Quit smoking |
35
|
| Moved to MA |
34
|
| Birth of child #1 |
34
|
| Birth of child #2 |
32
|
| Quit drinking |
30
|
| Met Ray |
33
|
| Married Ray |
25
|
| Career in online learning |
21
|
| Moved to NC |
14
|
| Home-based office |
14
|
| Returned to TX |
10
|
Wonder what's next.
