" I have often been asked by young men how they can succeed in this or that direction. My advice to them is to make up their minds carefully, in the first place, as to what they want to do and then persistently devote themselves to accomplishing that end, letting nothing discourage them. ... I have been asked many times how I have succeeded in this thing or in that thing. In almost every case I have replied that it has required constant, hard, conscientious work. I consider that there is no permanent success possible without hard and severe effort, coupled with the highest and most praiseworthy aims. Luck, as I have experienced it, is only another name for hard work. Almost any individual can succeed in any legitimate enterprise that he sets his heart upon, if he is willing to pay the price, but the price, in most cases, is being willing to toil when others are resting, being willing to work while others are sleeping, being willing to put forth the severest effort when there is no one to see or applaud. It is comparatively easy to find people who are willing to work when the world is looking on and ready to give applause, but very hard to find those who are willing to work in the corner or at midnight, when there is no watchful eye or anyone to give applause." (Excerpt from The Story of My Life and Work by Booker T. Washington)
Although I had great role models for "constant, hard, conscientious work" and have, thus, always attempted to apply that to any endeavor I might undertake, I, in my youth, struggled to develop a clear vision. I struggled to make up my mind carefully, in the first place, as advised by Booker T. Washington. I was under some illusion that I could have it all, do it all, and be it all and lacked clarity. I now know that crafting a clear vision inspires me. And now, understanding that life involves a series of trade offs, it helps me make better decisions about how I spend my time, energy and money. Knowing that I can only use this moment in time and spend this dollar and expend this present energy one time encourages me to make up my mind carefully and draft a plan based on a clear vision. I have some longer term goals that really drive my other goal making. I expressed these goals in the post Could Have Been Me. I really want to have solid control over my things, money, time and body so that I can fulfill my dreams and my purpose. I expressed very specific goals for 2023 in two posts: 2023 Goals and 23 Hard Things in 2023.
Today, to bring those goals into sharper focus, I am going to review my progress on the 23 Hard Things in 2023. This is where I stand at this moment:
1) Write 12 snail mail letters: DONE. I completed this goal during June. This month I have written another letter and have plans for several more. Presently, 13/12.
2) Initiate 3 dates with hubby: I initiated a stay-at-home date that involved playing Battleship. It was the first time that we had ever played Battleship. BTW I sunk his ships. :) I also asked him to go hiking with me today, to help me break in my new birthday gifted hiking sneakers. It rained far more that forecasted so he asked for a raincheck (yup, he thought this was hysterical). We have rescheduled for Tuesday. I have plans to invite him to play miniature golf. I shall soon complete this goal.
3) Purge 1200 items: DONE. I completed this goal in July but I will still attempt to purge a minimum of 100 items per month. 1226/1200.
4) Read 48 books: I am rocking and rolling on meeting this goal. As of the end of July I had read 61/48 books and, at this moment, I have read another 16 in August. This count does include books of the Bible. I have read 40 books of the Bible and I have read 37 other books.
5) 12 of the 48 books read need to be books that I own: DONE. Presently, 16 of the 37 books that I have read are books that I own. I am really enjoying this project. I am being a good steward. I am becoming more familiar with my personal library. I am finding that I can purge some books from my library, which is helping me meet goal #3. :)
6) Have one adventure per month: I am loving this goal. It is reminding me that my life is a grand adventure. For me, an adventure is doing something or takes me out of my comfort zone. In July, I tried a host of new pastries that delighted my taste buds and I was surprised about which were my favorites; I played miniature golf (I hadn't done that in years); I pitched horseshoes for the very first time; I participated in a cornhole tournament when I had never even played cornhole before; I went to Baker's Creek and a vegan restaurant.
7) Make and maintain a minimum of six monthly journals: DONE. I am now working on my eighth monthly journal. I am beginning to get impatient with this journaling format. I began this format 14 months ago in order to use up my scrapbooking supplies and explore my artistic side. I have enjoyed it but am ready to return to a more simplified journaling process. This month, I will assess my progress on utilizing my supplies and then make a decision as to how to move forward.
8) Make a minimum of 36 blog entries: 16/36 once I publish this post. Additionally, I have five drafts and still consider myself behind. I shall press on.
9) Repair camera: DONE.
10) Repair mandolin and learn one song: Not yet, although I do intend on taking the mandolin to the music center this week.
11) Dance: A smidge done. I found an Instagram page today that daily asks the question, "Have you danced today?" I am going to begin asking myself that question. I am going to write it in my planner, maybe even add it to my habit tracker, and see if that helps me move forward in meeting this goal.
12) Learn to tiptoe (move like a child): YES.
13) Learn to skip (move like a child): I can skip but not gracefully. I will continue to work on this.
14) Do one cartwheel, although a round off will do (move like a child): Not yet. I am pleased that my fear of some movements is beginning to wane. Maybe, just maybe, I will be able to do this before the year is up.
15) Remove tree from front yard: DONE.
16) Repair front porch stairs: DONE.
17) Write a letter to Carole's mother: It is written but not mailed. I am now uncertain as to whether I should send this letter. I am praying on it.
18) Take vitamins a minimum of 275 days of the year. Thus far, I have taken vitamins at least 182/223 days. There are 142 days left of the year and I need to be successful 93 days of those remaining days.
19) Floss teeth a minimum of 275 days of the year. Thus far, I have recorded flossing at least 155 /223 days. There are 142 days left of the year and must floss 120 of those days in order to reach this goal. I sure do need to focus.
20) Track expenditures a minimum of 275 days of the year. Through today, August 12, I have tracked expenditures for 204/223 days. Of the 142 days left of the year, I need to track expenditures for at least 71 more days.
21) Do not go to Andy's alone: I have failed at this. I was going strong then was gifted $75 in Andy's gift cards soooo....... I will get back on track now that I have used all of the gift cards.
22) Try 15 new smoothie, salad or vegetarian recipes: In July, because Keegan was here and she is vegetarian, I made veggie burgers and a caprese salad. Thus far in August, I have made a garbanzo bean and tuna salad and a lentil, lemon and kale soup. I presently have white beans in the crockpot with three recipes lined up that need white beans. So, 4/15.
23) Complete at least 75% of Balancing the Sword Volume One: DONE. As of August 10, I have completed 75% of Balancing the Sword Volume One. Using this book has enabled me to read the Old Testament in its entirety, for the first time. I should finish the entire book by mid-October. I am contemplating what I should do afterwards that will enable me to dig more deeply into scripture.
I am thrilled with my progress and with my personal growth. There is still so much room for improvement but I am daily inching closer to who I believe I am supposed to be. I will continue to seek to make up my mind carefully as to where I want to go and what I want to do with my time, energy, and money. Then, I will "persistently devote themselves to accomplish that end, letting nothing discourage them."
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