Friday, December 31, 2010

What's It All About?

At the end of the year, several things happen to me.

  1. I feel bad about all the writing projects I didn't finish, start or work on in the year that is coming rapidly to a close, like a slamming door. 
  2. I vow to scale back on my ambitions for the coming year.
  3. I think about what really has stuck with me from the past year. 
  4. I do some crazy, unplanned cleaning projects that make me feel like I've accomplished something, however small.
  5. I do some last minute writing, as if writing 500 words can make a difference in the unfinished novel/article/nonfiction book that I haven't been working on.
  6. I make some crazy plans to do stuff on New Year's Eve/New Year's Day that I think will set a good precedent for the coming year. To whit:
    • not drink too much
    • go to bed early, in order to get a good night's sleep
    • get up early and write
    • spend the day doing something that is indicative of the coming year. In this case, I'll be attending and judging at a Crossfit competition
Unlike many of my friends, I resolve to eschew resolutions. I will not be giving up my much needed morning coffee with half-and-half. But here are some things I'm going to think about, because they seem like things I can do:
  1. Swear more
  2. Eat a lot of meat
  3. Drink a lot of coffee
  4. Write, just a little bit?
  5. Do a lot of Crossfit
  6. Help at least one person become more fit in 2011
Oh yes, that title. What's it all about, people? It's about people. It's about quality of life. It's about community. That's why, each year when I regard my writing accomplishments with dismay, I like to remind myself that I worked out a lot, that I hung out with my peeps and drank coffee, that I hugged some people, that I had some awesome wine with my Wine Club, that I had some great tea & conversation with my Book Club, that I played a lot of games with my Family, and that, if I died tomorrow, I wouldn't die feeling like the people I love don't know how much I love them. And that, my friends, is what it's all about.
Here's to more wine, tea, coffee and conversation in 2011!

2 comments:

Lisa B. said...

I will be making resolutions, but the "more" kind of resolutions--in 2011 I want *more* of . . . And one thing I want more of in 2011 is conversations and beverages with you. I feel I will probably not be working out with you, but I think I can work around to having tea. Here's hoping--Happy New Year, Dr. Write!

Nik said...

I'm so glad you're my friend. Here's to getting to write more and read each other's writing more in the next year. Happy New Year's.