In four very short months, I will be thirty-two. Part of me wants to freak out because that's what I did with twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty and thirty-one. However, there's another part of me that's looking thirty-two in the face, and she's peaceful about this milestone, so peaceful, in fact, the rest of my psyche is actually listening.
Freaking out: I'm two years into my thirties and I've done nothing!
Peaceful: Thirty-two isn't old. I have my whole life still ahead of me.
Freaking out: Look at the last ten/ twelve years; what in the name of all that's grammatically correct have I been doing? Have I honestly spent ten/ twelve years sitting on my butt eating chips and surfing the internet? Will I never get my act together?
Peaceful: This is an opportunity. Every day is an opportunity. So the question should be "what will I be doing now?"
If I feel I've been wasting the years, if that's the worst of my issues, then the solution is to waste no more of the time granted to me. I don't believe I can change the world; I just want to know that I've done what I can with my very small part of this world. I may not ripple history, but I am definitely capable of affecting those around me. I have potential; that is one quality I am sure of. I am intelligent, over-educated, loving, creative and moderately talented. Truth be told, that's a lot to work with.
So, this is my goal for the next four months: Make every day an opportunity to do and be more so that by my birthday, I can not only be peaceful about the number of my years but, what's more, proud of who I am at thirty-two years old.
This is a pretty exciting objective, don't you think?
Six and a half years later
3 years ago
What??? You need go no further than your home to see what you have done the last ten years! You have made one husband a wonderful partner-in-life, raised one totally awesome, well-behaved son to the age of nine, another happy little cutie to the age of three (and got him potty-trained, alleluia), you have home-schooled Elijah (using some of that college education, I'm sure), you have given one mom and dad such peace knowing their son is married to a great woman who cares more for her family's physical and spiritual health than most women do today. Right now you are doing THE MOST IMPORTANT, UNDERPAID JOB IN THE WORLD -- and doing it excellently--Need I go on? (I would need my own blog, lol)
ReplyDeleteIt is a pretty exciting objective. I wish you luck as you strive to accomplish that.
ReplyDeleteI've decided to add, "so I don't feel like I've spent my whole life sitting at the computer eating snacks." to my list of reasons why Matt should get me and iPod Touch. This way I can spend my life wandering around with the Internet in my palm. I'm guessing this will cut down quite a bit on my snacking as my iPod Touch will require both hands to properly function.
ReplyDeleteLet the 2 year 4 month experiment begin.
Do you like how I made this about me as well? I seem to be getting good at that.
Coming from a 40 something - 32 is not old! But neither is 40 something. That's why I keep telling my daughter she can't get married yet. In typical 19 something fashion, she's not listening to me.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great goal! Mind if I adopt it?
ReplyDeleteNew to your blog! Loving what I've read, and can't wait to read more!