Starting Anew 2010 - A New Decade

Happy New Year 2010!

Since I am beginning a new decade of life, it is appropriate the ritualist, traditional resolution thought process begin with defining the process as BEGINNING ANEW, not STARTING OVER. There is a more positive, optimistic ring to ANEW, and negative, defeatist ring to STARTING OVER.

In retrospect and review :2009 and 2000-2009 were divided positives vs. negatives.

1. In this decade I discovered my biological roots and developed a positive relationship with a new set of relatives. The search was fraught with needless anxiety and uncertainty, especially the idea of acceptance on my part. Positive!

2. I re-evaluated my belief system and made a difficult, but fruitful decision concerning faith, leaving a comfortable but dead-end setting for a challenging, exciting, rejuvenating new concept. Positive!

3. In this decade I realized my mortality because of increasing age and faster declination of health. In fact 2009 seems to be a year filled with medical appointments and little else. (mixed Positive/Negative)

4. I tested new waters in retirement. Never to be one to sit by the window watching the birds, I discovered the satisfaction of public and volunteer services. I ran for City Council--three terms. I helped establish a senior calling service, TeleCare. Positive!

5. Endurance of some domestic turmoil. Negative!

6. A personal vacation scaled down to an enjoyable level! Positive!

7. Finally, 2009 was exceedingly successful in that I finally accomplished on reoccurring resolution, losing weight (25 lbs.) and maintaining within +/- 3 lbs. for 6 months. Positive!

I'm sure I missed a lot of subjects but the above 7 are highlights. I could add the phenomenon of blogging, but it is continuing into the new decade. Where it leads, no one knows.

Now I am facing a new decade. At 73, how many more decades are there in my life? I suppose quality, not quantity, is the most important factor!

So, in 2010, the first year of the new decade, I am resolved:

1. To start ANEW the effort of losing an additional 25 lbs. This will be harder and require more diligence. But I will not be disappointed if the scales show less than 25 lbs. but a loss, nevertheless. Intertwined in this effort will be renewal of my exercise program.

2. To search ANEW for opportunities in public service, volunteerism, and faith. I believe these altruistic goals keep me in the mainstream of life, despite aging.

3. To resolve ANEW to enjoy simple pleasures available "right under my nose."

Of course there are less lofty goals such as resolution of messy housekeeping, poor cooking skills, etc.

Now that I've completed the New Year ritualistic seance, I can settle down for the beginning of the last hurrah for the football season: a multitude of bowl games and eventually the Super Bowl!!!

So much for lofty expections!

FOOTBALL!, FOOTBALL! FOOTBALL!
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Postscript: I just found this interesting quiz on Amber Star's Serenity Days.
Thought you might like to participate:

I am an Echinacea What Flower Are You?