Daily Gratitude: If you’re tired of hearing me talk about your goals, just scroll on by. But…. Here’s what I did to assess my 2024 goals. I have mentioned that this was the first time I’ve actually written them out and it’s a practice I will continue. Here’s what I found. I had 13 items on my list. I completed 8 of them in toto. 3 were partially completed and 2 I “thought about” but didn’t do much, if anything on them. That’s a pretty good percentage. What did I notice? I realized in some instances I needed more details and in others I just needed to let it happen. For instance, one said “complete all 3 major races”. I didn’t list them so it was hard for the universe to give that to me since it didn’t know what I thought was major. That’s important. I’ve talked about the hearing aid one before, but here is what I wrote: “help people with hearing aids”. This, actually, was a good goal because, although, I didn’t define how I wanted to help but just that I did, it allowed the universe to provide me with the surprise of an easy way to help. One interesting one was: “decide about new car”. This really isn’t specific enough but once again, it worked for me. I should have listed out all the things I wanted and/or needed and whether I wanted a new or used car. But as it has before, universe presented me with a few options and then just put what I wanted in front of me. It was another “everything always works out for me” but I’ll save that story for another day. Anyway, hopefully you get the idea, as I did, that I needed to provide more details but not too many specifics. Maybe tomorrow I’ll write more about outlining

Daily Gratitude: As we enter the “holiday” season full on, maybe it’s time to ask ourselves what we really need. It’s funny..as I was thinking about this, I kept going back to what’s in my pack for the Vol State race across Tennessee. My goal there is to have my pack as light as possible as I have to carry it for 10 days 20-21 hours a day. I now have a series of questions I ask myself about every piece of gear I carry. So, when I examined myself and my life and looked at what I really need beyond the basic human needs (food, water, sleep, shelter, air) I realized that I “need” (I think it’s a relative term and to some these might seem luxury items but they are my “needs”): my medical prescriptions, my glasses and my computer. Some days I’d say my microwave and instant pot but that’s only being playful. My computer contains all of my past ideas and books I’m working on. It also has all the apps to interact with the world (mostly necessary for financial stuff). One could say that’s living in the past and they might be right. Could I live without it? Yes. Maybe my phone is more important. I’ll have to examine that. My glasses are necessary so I can learn and people must continue to learn or they lose interest in life. Why didn’t I say that my thousand or so books aren’t necessary? Because I can find them in a library or a bookstore. You’re probably scoffing and saying “you didn’t lost money” and you’re right because what I was concentrating on were material objects in or around my home. I hope that makes sense. This is an ongoing process. What is necessary for me really is human interaction and being able to give to others. And that’s important to me for more than just one or two months of the year. What can you give to others that will really show them you love and value them? Some gift from a store? Or a note telling them how much they mean to you? Or a donation to a charity in their name? Just think about it

Daily Gratitude: ‘Tis the season. Yes, it’s the season of holiday spirit, New Year’s resolutions, cold winter days (and nights), and new beginnings. But, it’s also the season for great depression. Sometimes it’s due to the darkness and less daylight and sometimes it’s because or another kind of darkness. What’s important is not what causes it, but that it’s there and often very well hidden. So as the countdown to the new year begins, pay close attention to your friends. Look in their eyes and listen to their words. If you know they’ve had some loss in their lives (no matter when), let them know you understand that this may be a difficult time for them and you’re there for them. Check on them frequently. Make sure they have a place to go so they aren’t alone. Write them notes. If you make donations, make them in honor of the person they lost. Include them. It’s a busy time of year but never be too busy to take care of those who aren’t as fortunate as you.