I'm sensing a theme here. Let me explain.
Backstory first, though.
I've been setting yearly, quarterly, and monthly goals for as long as I can remember.
In fact, when my mother passed away almost 9 years ago, I found in her boxes of mementos she had kept for both my sister and I, a list of goals for the summer I turned 5. I wanted more than anything to "LEARN TO RIDE MY BIKE WITHOUT training wheels!!". I loved exclamation marks even then, and two of them meant the goal was a very important one.
And yes, I did learn, through some bloody knees, tears, determination, and my dad's always-patient help.
But recently, my goals and my feelings toward them have changed dramatically.

Oh, I still have goals. In fact, inside the beautiful hand-made leather traveler's notebook given to me by my children, daughter-in-law, and now-son-in-law when I retired last year is a list of 100 things I hope to do in retirement. And I look forward to achieving each one and recording it in that notebook.
But no longer do I feel compelled to make and keep a list of long-term goals accompanied by monthly goals that will take me to their completion.
Perhaps it's because I've reached a point in life where I have far fewer years of goal-chasing in front of me than behind me. Perhaps that realization has given me a different perspective.
Whatever the reason, two weeks ago (end of backstory), I removed my "2019 Goals" from the front of my current bullet journal. I also removed the just-created "June Goals". Without hesitation, I tore both pages into tiny pieces and deposited them in the recycling bin.
Then I pondered and journaled. And pondered and journaled some more.
And just this past Tuesday, I shared that my goal is authenticity. That I long to live on the outside what I am on the inside.
It's that simple.
I don't need to write it down. I don't need a plan.
I simply need need, with my Creator's standard as my guide, to be in each moment and savor each moment and, with courtesy and respect to those around me, respond to each moment honestly.
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Thanks, Patti, I enjoyed reading your thoughts here and I think authenticity is an amazing goal. That's something I want to work towards doing better too!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you stopped by, Lesley. I hope you'll be back and that you'll share about your own journey as you feel comfortable. :)
DeleteI love this! I love the idea of trying to live on the outside who you are on the inside.
ReplyDelete- FMF writer #16 Paula Frances Price
Thank you for responding, Paula!
DeleteSome of the most worthy goals deserve two exclamation marks, don't they?? No matter what our age. Love your goal for authenticity!!
ReplyDeleteSo true that age doesn't matter -- thank you for bringing up that important truth, Jennifer :)
DeleteBeautiful, Patti. Don't need a plan. Just need God.
ReplyDeleteI wish that I could yet believe,
or that I could pretend,
but here there will be no surcease
and here is Journey's End.
The plans I made come to a halt,
and will not live beyond
the closing whistle, last play called,
the fading hosanna frond.
I have to hand these to the Lord,
and hope that He takes care
of that my heart turned toward,
as He treasures every tear.
Each dying day is fraught with pain,
but perhaps my dreams shall live again.
Your presence, your taking the time to respond -- and a poem!! -- means so much to me, Andrew!! Your dreams will live on through the many, many people you've inspired, my friend.
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