I began this project with a letter to myself two weeks ago and during the process of setting it aside to make time for other things, some of those things that I had identified as future goals had already come to pass. They were simple really. Simple for most people I suppose, but for me they seemed like something that would happen way out in the future at some yet undertermined time. Things like flowers in our yard and moving into our newly built spaces. I know for most of you those are no big deal, but we have been through a series of "temporary" living circumstances for a good many years.
As these situations became realized -- almost immediately after being written down -- it occured to me: I am not aiming high enough. These so called goals I wrote about were really not big picture, far-off things at all, just a matter of decision and some ingenuity. Isn't that most of what is takes to arrive at our desirable outcomes? Yes, included in decision is thought-into-action, work, and practice. But first, it is a matter of decision.
This thinking is not new to me. I've read the motivational books; I understand the concept: "If you fail to plan you are planning to fail."
Ask a child "where will you be next year this time?" and they will quickly reply "I'll be eight, a third-grader, taking ballet and painting rocks." They know. They envision it. Recent college grads and young professionals share this confident enthusiasm. It is not just youth or inexperience, it is a bold can-do, nothing-can-stop-me approach that people respond to so posatively. It is invigorating to be around. But as adults we can get clouded by doubt and sinicism. As a mom at home, out of the mainstream work-flow, how easily I have forgotten to plan or to forecast the continuing unfolding story of my own life. Where is the pathway to my dreams? What are my creative visualizations of the future?
They are here. Right here, tucked in this envelope page.
The handwriting reads: The unfolding story of my life. Ahhh ... the possibilities.
I gave it some real thought, started over and dared to craft a story for myself so vivid and desirable. Only here I haven't called them dreams, for when they are written down they become something more. They become goals. First came the letter, then this custom pocket page to contain those intentions. I'm not crazy about the painted element - didn't quite come out the way I pictured, but oh well. My little letter is housed quite nicely for now. Thanks for the motivation Kal.
