“Which is more important,” asked Big Panda, “the journey or the destination?”  “The company,” said Tiny Dragon

Being a creature of habit, the ringing in of the New Year emanates thoughts of anew and the overwhelming urge to write in my blog.  But something felt different these past few weeks.  Like picking up where I left off was no longer an option, it wasn’t just a new year, but a rebirth of a sense of purpose.

Any good annual goal should be measurable.  Have I been successful over the past decade with my annual expression to the universe?  Curiosity in my corner, the exploration into my past writings was a click away.   Believe it or not, A Little Bit About a lot of Things is about to celebrate its 13^th birthday.  With a total of 73 posts, 17,645 views and over 8,500 visitors, I knew my efforts weren’t chart topping.  Just shy of 65,000 written words, which is just 15,000 words short of the average length of most fictional novels.  (Wait, stop, are you saying, that I am on the verge of a completing book?) Thoughts of actually jumping off the diving board into that “big” writing project I so secretly dreamed about often, didn’t seem so scary.

 Focus became key and my mind had to be glued to completing the task at hand; finding out if I have stayed true to a quest over the past 13 years?  I needed more data.  Guess what, Tuesdays seem to be my most prolific day to publish.  And as expected, from January 2014 to present day, post Christmas to early in the new year,  is  the sweet spot for success in completing an entry with a grand total of eleven postings.  The reasons behind the popularity was simple, the time of year.

My birthday is January 5, the combination of the celebration and kicking off a fresh chapter in the calendar playbook, makes the perfect recipe for fresh ideas, upbeat goals and visions of anything is possible.  And low and behold I stayed true to course over time.  Change, hope, stretching outside of comfort zone, process and glass half full mantras graced my written work.  And lets not forget in January of 2019 when I based an entire blog off of math https://alittlebitaboutalotofthings.com/2019/01/05/math-doesnt-lie-the-key-to-accomplishing-your-annual-aspirations/ or in 2018 when I created a playlist https://alittlebitaboutalotofthings.com/2018/01/16/2018-a-time-to-grove/ .

They say focusing on the past isn’t healthy, but I learned a few lessons rereading my work.  In 2014, I was all about being present, which I can honestly say has been an unplanned premise this past year. I didn’t have a choice but to be present I had nothing but the day ahead.  And trust me I’m a person that loves to look forward to something, may I remind you of my love of travel?  Having time on my hands and an empty appointment book gave way to taking time to plan adventures.  It was a conscious act that I spent hours and endless energy to create destinations.  This included spending stints with people that I am truly grateful for in my life, making memories and being in the moment took unexpected forms.  From carefully planned trips, like our journey  to California in June that I wrote about, to my last minute jaunt on the featured fair tour in Idaho that concluded with a special breakfast with my Grandma Darlene, each destination fueled my fire and boosted my energy.

In 2015, I wrote a prescription as my New Year’s resolution.  https://alittlebitaboutalotofthings.com/2015/01/03/begin-again-please-dont-see-just-a-girl-caught-up-in-dreams-and-fantasies/#more-97 One of my “doses” was allow for change.   For as long as I can recall I have internally thought if I could just have one or two weeks off to be at home and get my life in order things would be better.  You know that underlying feeling of needing rest, checking off that household “to-do” list and just having a little me time. Well, I am living proof it takes way longer than two weeks. 

At first, I struggled with the down time.  The change was beyond something I felt able to lean into.  I was tired.  Physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted.  Time and patience were the key to healing. Neither one of them are my signature strengths.  As the summer months gave way to fall, I began to spring forth with new bud growth from the metamorphosis. Like the caterpillar becoming a lovely butterfly, I grew new wings and shed off a few thousand burden legs. The byproducts of my healing are evident in my everyday life.  My cupboards have never been more organized.  I made holiday crafts for the first time in decades.  And my status is with United is at an all time high.  I allowed for change and in return I found missing parts of my old self.

Yet one of my favorite posts was titled “One Decade at a Time” published January 5, 2017.  If you know me, you know I love my birthday.  I think we all should celebrate from the roof tops on our special day, because without it you wouldn’t be walking upright.  Age has never been a big deal to me, except when I can channel it for an excuse for an even grander celebration.  Pointing out significant milestones that were made by people at older ages, you get instantly inspired to go out accomplish any goal, maybe even write a novel?  Reading it reminded me that turning 58 really isn’t that big a deal.  Not  that I really thought it was, like I said, to me age is just a number.  It also prompted me to start planning something epic for the big 60.  Maybe a trip to Italy?

As for 2025, I have spent some time truly thinking about my annual manifesto.  Don’t get me wrong I still believe and embrace all my past idealism and plans, but this year I am only assigning myself one task.  To be grateful.  Grateful for all the little things in my life but most importantly for the people in my world.  Why be present, if not to enjoy time with someone special?  And change is prompted many times by the entrance or the exit of individuals in our world. In a world filled with texts, emails, videos, and countless non present forms of communication, I embrace the importance of having actual humans in one’s days.  People are as essential to our life as air and water.

One simple word, gratitude will be all that I strive for in 2025.    Yes,the journey can be fun and the destination may turn out better than expected, but none of it truly matters without the company.

2025 I am grateful for my family, especially my parents and my fabulous children, Nolan, Kayla and Lilly.  I am grateful that each of them has found someone who thinks they are just as amazing as I do.  I am grateful my friends, the ones I talk to often and the ones who are there even in the silence space.  And I am grateful for Tod and Louie, the little nuclear family that greets me every morning with hope of a joyful day.