As the days draw to a close it is important to me to reflect on what I have accomplished this year and what I am looking towards for next year.
2017
It was a year for goals. I lost 50 pounds (then gained about 20 back) but have kept off 30 for the last 6 months.
It was the year I set my mind to doing something (cutting qualifier) and achieved it.
It was the year that the Scottish festival moved.
It was the year I did my first charity ride on my motorcycle.
It was the year I moved my sword class indoors.
It was the year my son turned 2 and started picking up words faster than I can count them.
It was my first year without grandparents.
I lost some friends to death and met some new people.
It was the year I got my shred route and was really able to make my job my own to any extent.
I took my Henry VIII costume out on the road more than just the local events.
I picked up single stick and found a fun sword thing I can do in semi light gear.
I listened to more books then I can think to remember or list.
I have studied the long sword manuals harder this year then I have in the past.
I had my 5th anniversary of marriage and our 5th anniversary of moving into our house.
I turned 36, I am closer to 40 then I am to 30, which feels very strange.
So what is in store for 2018?
This morning I finished reading Walden though I have been meaning to for years. In 2018 I intend to read or listen to more books. I like to listen to books while I am driving and since I do so much of it now, it is really something I need to embrace.
I have 2 sword events out of town this year on my calendar so going and competing and giving it my best is definitely on the list. How to improve my sword work will in large part be based on how that goes.
Eating better. Something that struck me in reading Walden was how much he talked about good diet of the right foods and drinks. Since August I have let things slip, it is time to take it back. The big idea is to eat as I need to not just because and to drink enough water to balance things.
Connecting to my spirituality- This is something I have missed over the last few years. I am not sure what for it will take and it is going to be a lot of thinking on things and going to my roots but it is a part of who I am that I miss. This may not mean going back to church, but it does mean looking at my spirituality and reconnecting it on a regular basis.
Connecting better with friends- I miss my friends and feel like I do not see them enough. I really want to make a good effort this year to see people, or have them over or work out some time to see and hang out with people. I am a social beast and get down when I have little social interaction, I need to work on that in a balanced way.
Somewhere, in the drive today I had some time to think and I realized I have an idea of how I see myself at 37. How that guy acts and is. Since I see it, and can really get a grasp on that, maybe it is time to embrace it. It is time to step up to who I know I can be and just be it.
I have a few days to work on plans for these but they will be my focus for this year.
