Princess Leia is Dead!

I’ve had just about enough of 2016.

From the beginning of this year, life has been one large learning curve, and I’m tired. We’ve lost so many icons this year, and Carrie Fisher will be missed.

On to 2017.

Right about this time of the year, many people are thinking about resolutions and things they hope to accomplish during the year. And, most often, we settle for dashed hopes.

Resolutions are not my thing.

The next thing that we look at are goals; setting them and, being willing, able with the stars aligned, we achieve that which we set out to do.

Goals and I have a love/hate relationship.

“Goals that are not written down are just wishes.” Fitzhugh Dodson

Did you feel anxiety reading that last sentence?

I did.

I believe we need wishes, intentions, and, yes, even goals. The trick to these is not taking ourselves too seriously.

When setting goals, often the SMART method to goal setting is recommended. SMART means:

Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
and
Timely

This set of guidelines is fantastic if a person can remain focused and dedicated.

I am not that person.

I have a tendency to “wing it” which is probably not the best idea. In the past couple of years, I’ve picked a word for the year. Enough, my 2016 word, appeared to be an invitation to the universe to see what it could throw at me.

Choosing a word hasn’t come easily to me, so I believe I am going to forgo making that decision. The only thought that comes to mind is the expansion that comes with hope and growth. I’m not willing to stake the entire next year on this though as the universe tends to have its own thoughts as to how things should go and what lessons I need to learn.

What I am willing to do, however, is set some intentions. And, only a few so I don’t get overwhelmed.

• I will live an intentional life looking for invitations and not interruptions.
• I will write and grow in my craft and business.
• I will take care of myself spiritually, socially, emotionally, cognitively and physically.
• I will be open to love and connection.

As I look at my list, I wonder if I am setting myself up for failure and then I remember:

“I never fail, either I win, or I learn.”

As we say goodbye to 2016, Princess Leia and so many others, we must say out loud:

Bring it on, 2017, bring it on!