h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I've already had people ask me what my New Year's Resolutions will be this year. I gave my standard answer of several years, that they are a waste of time since I never manage to keep them. Then I had a think and decided I did want to make a couple of resolutionss this year after all. So here goes

Resolution #1 is to focus on the journey, not the destination. Sometimes destinations (goals) seem very far away and difficult to attain. So from now on I want to just make it through today doing whatever it is that I need to do to reach whatever goal I have in mind. I want to learn to measure success by what I achieve today, no matter how far away that ultimate goal is.

Resolution #2 will help me achieve #1. Whatever ~it~ is, I need to ask myself if it's really worth it. Is it worth the time and effort, the financial cost, the calories, the sore muscles, whatever? If the answer is yes, then do it. If the answer is no, give it a pass.

Wise lady said.

http://images.officedog.co.uk/size600/product/149/14997.jpg

Nice.

hear, hear Hyp

Oh, Hyp, #1 is so wise and what I have been trying to tell myself all year! Let's hope we both manage it this time. A pat on the back for what we have achieved, rather than what we didn't manage, sounds a much more positive way of thinking.

#2 is also sound in view of the fact that my mind is still young but my body isn't! Save the energy for what we really want/need to do.

Many thanks and a Happy New Year

Websailor

I should probably try something like #1 too. I could do with it. I seem to have a problem with setting goals.

TRiG.

I love the dog, Gnomon.

I have a problem setting goals, too, Trig. I'm much to ambitious. It fits in with what Websailor said. I simply can't do some of the things I could when I was younger, but I still make plans to do things like I always did. Gardening is a prime example. I still plan a garden the size of one I had 20 years ago. Thing is, I can't take care of one that large anymore. So I've set myself up for failure before a single seed goes into the ground.

And gardening is just one example. I create stress for myself in several areas by setting goals that are extremely hard to achieve.

My dad has been slowing expanding his veggie garden. He started out with just tomatoes. Now he's got okra, radishes and spinach coming in well and also some puny looking carrots and cucumbers. He's definitely not over doing it. His garden plot is currently only about 5' by maybe 20' with a few large pots on the patio. He's got a pretty good attitude. If it grows, it grows. If not, he'll try something else.

Gardening is something I've always loved. I have raised my own vegetables, fruits and herbs for decades. It's hard to scale back, even though I know I should. I have gone to raised beds and those Earth Boxes in order to reduce the amount of digging and weeding. That helps a lot. And I've always made my own pickles, relishes, salsas, preserves, and canned veggies and fruits. I need to change my mind set and scale all of that back, too. At least while I'm still working full time.

And you still haven't sent any of the relishes, pickles or veggies. I mean really, why do you keep those BC rocket-engineers on retainer?

Nick, I doubt if I could send home made stuff across the border. You know what a problem I had with the cheeses and ham and they were commercially produced.

*That's my story and I'm sticking to it.*

There are so many ingenious launching devices, ... Mind, they tend to be kinda early in the growing season? July 1st or some such.

We're talking about spud launchers here. They aren't quite as accurate as a guided missle. And I seriously doubt if those mason jars would survive the landing.

Hyp. Remember, the road to hell is paved with good intentions, but every great expedition started with a small step.

For me, the important thing is to realise that failure is an opportunity to adapt. To move the goal posts or to adapt the situation.

Failure is not defeat. It is a chance to learn.

In my new job, I make mistakes. If I took each to heart, I'd quit. Instead, I am enjoying taking on more tasks, but can only do what I can do.

I wish you the very best, and know you will succeed at what ever you turn your hand to.

Very best of .

MMF

*is trying to find an English translation of a Swedish poem so that she wont' have to do it herself, about the journey being the main thing*

Ah, found one...

In Motion

The sated day is never first.
The best day is a day of thirst.

Yes, there is goal and meaning in our path -
but it's the way that is the labour's worth.

The best goal is a night-long rest,
fire lit, and bread broken in haste.

In places where one sleeps but once,
sleep is secure, dreams full of songs.

Strike camp, strike camp! The new day shows its light.
Our great adventure has no end in sight.

-- Karin Boye, from The Hearths (1935).
Translation from Swedish by David McDuff

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Although the original version rhymes. But poetry is so tricky to translate. I think McDuff got the gist of it.

I realised as I was reading your post that I subconsciously made these same resolutions earlier this year. I think it was a necessary shift of gear given the direction I'm steering my life in these days.

Wise words, MMF. My husband used to say that often bad luck is often good luck in disguise. I think that's true. Our setbacks teach us many lessons we wouldn't otherwise learn.

That's a lovely poem about the journey, Ti. Thanks.

I think the greatest life lessons my personal failures have taught me are to be honest with myself, less judgmental and more patient.