Review and Onward

This year has been slow and fast. As I think that 2012 starts in just a few hours, it seems crazy that it’s been a year already. But when I think back to specific events (even things that happened in September) it feels like this year has been a long one. I’ve been at my job for just over a year. It feels closer to five. I’m ready for change…but maybe I shouldn’t just yet (read Jon Acuff’s “Quitter” to understand what I mean…or ask me).

I suppose I should update on the goals of 2011 that I determined last November. Well…I failed. I’m not even sure I wrote for two months time altogether. Most of the year I just shied away from it. My decision of 1000 words a day was too high. Without being in practice of writing, that volume was nearly impossible. I began hating my writing very quickly because it was forced and unfocused. It wasn’t me. It wasn’t my voice. So this year, I want to write..anything..for most days. When (if) it becomes a habit, then I can start enforcing how much I write. I love it…I don’t want to hate it. I also hope to post at least one blog a month…or one big essay. I recently started a new blog that I plan on continuing this goal (Thoughts in the Stillness). Most recently, I went through Acts for Advent. Though I posted for 28 days, I consider it to be one project, one post. So if I were to do that again this year, that would count as one for the month…not 28.

My reading goal also failed. But unlike the writing, I don’t think it was unattainable. I ended up reading 30 books (and for those that argued with me, that includes audio books). The reason I feel like this goal was reachable is because I also listed when I finished books. Though I made no comment on when those books were started (something I’ll do this year), my reading was very sporadic. I would read two books very quickly and then barely read anything for two months. The success in this goal, however, is that I still read more than I had been…just not as much as I would like nor as much as I could have. This year…I will lower my goal, but not by much. Instead of 60, I plan on reading 50 books. I want at least 30 of those to be books I haven’t read before. More would be great, but I already have books I’m itching to read again.

Beyond those goals, I have a couple new ones for the year. One of them is…cheesy. After watching Lord of the Rings after Christmas, my desire to grow a beard has strengthened ten-fold. So, my goal is to not shave or trim my facial hair all year. My neck will be cleaned up, and if I get a new job that requires me to shave, I will…But when it is my choice, I will not shave or trim.

I also have a growing desire for what I want to do with my life. Whether I’m listening to reason, truth, lies, or whatever, I don’t expect to ever make much (if any) money for my writing. It’s a passion and a hobby. A skill and craft I want to hone and refine, but ultimately, I want to just do it because I love it. Because I hope my ideas teach myself and others. That my writing can be a means to get my words out. Beyond that, I have a growing desire (one that started my sophomore year of college) and it’s something that is morphing and molding into what I feel my skills and talents can do. I also feel like I’m being molded and taught things I have fought in the past…Things that I’ve ignored and run from with every job I have. My goal is to solidify what is in my head into a plan that makes sense to at least one person. This may take longer than a year, but if I can get one person to see and understand my vision as it is in my mind, then I will feel like I have succeeded.

So, last year was a challenge. This year will be, too.

1) Write nearly every day. Post one project a month on Thoughts in the Stillness.

2) Read 50 books. At least 30 that I haven’t read before.

3)Do not trim or cut or shave my beard (unless required by a job).

4) Continue to develop my vision and get at least one person to understand it completely.

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