I have learned the secret of a happy and successful life. It only took me 34 years to learn and it is something any first grader could tell you. Here it is in one word. Finish.
I am great at starting things. I have written books, bought fabric, and joined gyms. That is the fun part. I am good at anticipation. I daydream about how great that quilt will look on my bed or how happy I will be when I lose the weight. It is a great feeling, and for a few days I am pumped! ...Then comes the hard part, and I suck at the hard part so I move on. Since I want to join the H.S.P (Happy Successful Party) I have decided to list my goals her in public. Maybe if I am accountable to something I might actually follow through. Here is the current list:
1. Actually publish something I write.
I write often. I am brimming with crazy ideas and fun stories that lurk in the corners of my mind. I even put a lot of it down on my laptop. When I get to actually persuing the publishing part it is like I am suddenly Helen Keller lost in a forest. I don't know how to navigate this strage world and I give up and write another story. This year I intend to give it a try. Maybe I will be the next JK Rowling. More likely I will sell 10 digital copies on Amazon. Either way, I intend to give it a good old college try.
2. Go to the gym (at least 3 times a week)
I actually like the gym. It is fun to go and I feel so good afterwords. I get out my ipod and jam while doing the eliptical and working up a sweat. As Taio Cruz helps me burn those calories I glance up and see Exercise Barbies all around me. It is like a silicon kaleidoscope of perfection and I look like the stuffed Orca thrown in the mix. I run to my car in shame and "accidentally" let my gym membership run out. A new day is coming, I will fear their spandex encased supremacy no more! (Maybe, I hope..)
3. Learn Arabic
I know what you are thinking. Why would I, the queen of quitters, set myself up for failure like that? Arabic is the second most difficult language for an English speaker to learn. It takes people with years and years of language training decades to master. Believe me, I have heard it all. I never said my goals were easy. Part of the reason I procrastinate so much is cause I want to do so many impossible things. I actually have started this one. Learning the alphabet took a month. This is one I really want to do, so for now it is staying on the list.
4. Get to know my family
Ok, here is the deal. I have a seriously amazing family. They live all over the place and they are all successful in their respective fields. They are all card carrying members the H.S. P. Over the years, we have sort of disconnected (mostly my fault). I have never been to see any of my brothers and sisters at where they currently live, even though they all come to Michigan at least once a year. This year I intend to change that.
5. Finish the Quilt
Two years ago, I started a Christmas quilt. It is a lovely quilt, or at least it will be if I ever finish it.
That is it. Five things. If I can finish five things this year I will no longer belong to the void. The heavens will open and angels will weep. But seriously, I will feel really freakin' happy and who knows maybe I will even learn some things along the way. I will keep you posted.
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