Thursday, December 31, 2015

Happy New Year's Eve!

I hate to be predictable, but a post on New Year’s Eve just has to be about resolutions, doesn’t it?

Five of My 2016 New Year’s Resolutions:
  1. Talk less, act more. I talk about doing stuff – learn to play the guitar, write something different, go ziplining, raise dwarf goats. I think 2016 needs to be the year to do instead of just talk about doing.
  2. Get involved in animal welfare. I often read about people who volunteer/work at animal sanctuaries. I find the work fascinating and want to get involved more than cutting and mailing a donation check. I’d love to spend some time at a big cat rescue or a wolf sanctuary. This might be the year to make more solid plans in this area.
  3. Write, write, write. I put this on my list every year as a reminder to keep at it. Writing doesn’t always offer huge rewards, but I generally feel good about doing it. As long as that is true, I won’t give up telling tales.
  4. Move. I’m fairly certain it’s time for a location change. I’ve done the suburban thing for the past forty-one years and it’s getting a little suffocating. I’d like to give the woods thing a go. I’d like to not see any neighbors for miles. I’d like to become a hermit. Being in nature always makes me feel great.  
  5. Have fun. I’m super task oriented. I whizz around knocking things off my To Do List, but I would really love to have a To Have Fun List. It’s about time I let myself slow down enough to enjoy my family, my friends, and new activities. I don’t need to always be watching the time and making every damn minute productive. I could sit back now and then, with a glass of wine, and really take a time out instead of guzzling it because I’m too worried about what I have to get done. Things will get done when they get done, and that’s okay.  

So naturally there’s about four billion other things on my list…because I love a To Do List as you’ve already read, but these are a good sample. I hope to make some headway on them in 2016 and start living more completely in the now.

The past is done. The future isn’t a guarantee. Now is where living happens.

How will you live in 2016?


Toodles,
Chris

The Maple Leaf Series – More Than Pancakes, Book One is always FREE!

6 comments:

Jannine Gallant said...

A great list. I highly recommend living in the woods. Yes, I can see my neighbors, but not after I walk 50 yards into the woods outside my door. Once I'm out there I can pretend I'm living in Little House in the Big Woods! Happy New Year!

Rolynn Anderson said...

Chris, thanks for the list. My takeaway is your Fun List. I've never had a fun list unless I'm traveling...and as you know I do a lot of that. But the day/days always feel better when you've done something fun as well as accomplished something drudgey. By God, my fun list should compete with my drudge list for length! Happy New Year!

Brenda Whiteside said...

Chris, with your short post, I have found a kindred soul! I did the urban abandonment thing about 4 years ago and don't regret it. Then two years ago we went one step further and with the RV park half the year, we're even farther out there. I ALWAYS work from a to do list - drives my husband crazy and his lackadaisical lifestyle annoys the hell out of me. But I'm with Rolynn on the take a way of the fun list. I'm making one of those for sure. What a great idea for us list makers.

Christine DePetrillo said...

I think my 2016 career will be Professional Tree Hugger. Glad some of you are going to make a Fun List. We should swap and get ideas from each other. Happy New Year, Roses!

Margo Hoornstra said...

Love the fun list idea. Something to take to heart. I'm a native of the big city who went to a smaller city to little town to country living. Wouldn't go back to city life for love nor money. Good for you, Chris, Professional Tree Hugger is an admirable profession! Happy New Year!

Leah St. James said...

I'm about ready for hermit mode too, Chris. I don't think I'll get there this year though. Good luck with your list!