2017 Resolutions

Just as reflection at the end of a journey is often times just as important as the journey itself; goal setting at the beginning of the journey seems equally important. I feel like every new adventure worthy of embarking deserves solid planning and goal setting and the New Year is no different. Starting the year anew holds so much promise if we choose to make the most of it. I don't make resolutions each year with the intention of completion but rather, with the intention of growth. After looking back at past years, I have realized that the years that I didn't complete my resolutions often were the years where I grew the most. So here are my thoughts for this year.

Intellectually I would like to continue my reading goal. Though I was way short on my goal this year, I probably read more than I ever have in years past. I intend to read 17 books in 2017. Hopefully I can focus on a little lighter reading this year than I did last year. However, I already have a few books on my nightstand for marathon running, and physical & emotional neural pathways in the brain, so my guess is that non-fiction may dominate my desire for historical fiction this year. So.much.to.learn. 

Physically this year may be my most demanding yet. I am in the worst shape of my life, yet I have committed to crossing a marathon off my bucket list. I have a long way to go and will need a lot of help to get there, but I am certain that this is the year that I am supposed to do this as I will be running for the WillCure Team. As much as I want to set a finish time goal, I know that this will be my most emotional run for many reasons and I want to focus on the purpose of the run, not the time. The finish line will be waiting for me regardless of what time I cross it. 

Spiritually I would like to read the book of Psalms. There are 5 books to be exact and I was originally drawn to them because of the number of "I will" statements that they contained. I still have so much to learn in saying goodbye to Will. They say there is nothing more painful than burying your child and though I can't say for sure, I can attest to the fact that I have never encountered anything more painful. I still physically ache for him, but have learned how to control the pain. I still hear him cry at night, but have learned to not go searching for him. I still get choked up each time I go to Mass, but have learned how to keep from crying. The book of Psalms is full of insight and I hope that it will provide just the knowledge I need to keep Will close, while learning to let go of him.

Cheers to a joyful 2017.