Closing Out The (2018) Books

Closing out the books for 2018, thinking about what 2019 will bring.  While I'm short of specifics, I do know this:  The older I get, the more I realize that I really do have no clue what the new year will bring anyway.  Why bother trying then?  Because it's important to be more than just a spectator in life.

The above is not exactly profound, I give you that much, but as I've often times repeated in this corner of the Internet, it has the benefit of being true.  While just about every year I talk/think/write about new annual goals, for 2019 I'm going to go a bit more in the general department.  Why?  Well, for the most part, I suck stink at achieving the personal goals I set for myself (I am far, far better at my professional goals).  The logic defies me in some ways, as I always set detailed goals but then don't pay enough attention to them as the year progresses.  That's no doubt a manifestation of my interest in far too many things.

Anyway, as I think about the new year, three things do come to mind.

First, I need to focus on my health.  My whole health, as in physically, mentally and emotionally, mostly because I increasingly know that all three are connected anyway.  It's time to being more strategic when it comes to my own wellness.

Second, I need to re-focus some of my career energies.  While I loathe self-promotion, it's about time I stopped punching below my own weight class.

Third, I need to work at being happier.  There's simply no excuse for not being happier.  None. I simply have too many of the bases of life, such as an incredible partner, already covered.  Part of being happier will be finding ways to help others, be it personally or professionally.  And cats.  By the way, WebMD has 15 Steps to Becoming a Happier Person, for anyone looking for concrete suggestions (and cats, by the way, didn't make the list).

Grated that all three of the above are probably manifestations of the same underlying things.

I hope that you (who happen to be reading this) are thinking about what you want to accomplish in the new year as well.  My wish for you is that the new year brings challenges that are motivating, but not daunting.  I also hope that we can all find ways to rise above the fog of negativity that seems to be gripping our nation.

Lastly, thank you for reading my stuff throughout the year.  I appreciate your willingness to climb in what really is my head for a few minutes each week or so.  If I've provoked a thought or even mildly entertained, well, that's a good thing.  If not, well, I suggest you check out Andy Palumbo's blog instead.  He takes nice photographs.