“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?”
“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.”
“I don’t much care where –”
“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

The new year is almost upon us AGAIN!  Where does the time go? Every year I am more surprised than I was the last on the speed at which 365 days goes.

At the end of each year I try to review what I have learned, experienced and accomplished. Then make a list of what I would like to learn, experience, and accomplish in the year coming up.  As the years go faster and faster it is more apparent that if you don’t know what you want to do you will not get anything done.

In 2015 I met the majority of the goals I set out for myself. Those that I didn’t meet were because the path I was on changed, as it often does, so those goals were no longer needed.

I participated in my first craft sale with my ‘Spreading Random Sparkles of Kindness’ business BluSparkle. I am very proud of all that I learned, experienced and accomplished getting that first show behind me. In 2016 I will add more shows to my list of “YAY, I did that” !

I completed and learned so much in my 9-5 job this past year. New people, new responsibilities, new challenges but amongst it all I learned again how important it is to speak up and share your views, your knowledge and your skills. That is not only useful for yourself but for those you interact with. They actually do learn from what you know.

A big win for me this past year was implementing Nana & Papa day. With nine grandchildren it was hard to get that one on one time with each of them. For Xmas last year we gave each of the grandchildren a coupon for a day with Nana and Papa. It truly was an ‘experience’ coupon. On the coupon were 10 different experiences they were able to choose from when they spent their day with us. I wasn’t sure how the gift would go over but they ALL loved the idea and they loved the day with us even more. Now Nana & Papa day will become a tradition with a new coupon, new experiences and another opportunity for one on one time with my amazing grandchildren.

The list of things I learned, experienced and accomplished is actually very long this year. I feel that for me 2015 was a success. Yes, I lost people who I cared about through multiple ways. I also added people to my life through a variety of ways too. We never know how one person can alter the journey we are on but I am always open for the curves in the road that I can’t see around.

Now for 2016 as it looms ahead of me but truly only a small step away. Where do I want to go? What do I want to see? How will I get there? Who will I take with me?

My list is always long.  I always want to accomplish more than I ever think I can but having a plan is the most important part. I have lived many years of my life with no plan and always felt sad and unfulfilled when a year ended. I would have this feeling deep inside me that hung there like the ick on the bottom of a muddy shoe. Knowing as the year ended that I accomplished, learned and experienced very little.

Now with my yearly plan in hand I don’t feel that way.  I never, and yes I mean never, end the year how I had originally planned it but I am okay with that.  If I didn’t have a plan in the first place I wouldn’t have been on the journey that led me to things I never would have thought of. If I don’t move forward I will never see there are other things available to experience.

My large goal for 2016 is to learn the skills of publishing my writing. I have many other goals but this one is number 1. I will continue with my artwork and getting that out into the world through the many different avenues. I will continue the wonderful blessing of officiating weddings. I will continue on the wonderful journey of learning and growing via my grandchildren. I will continue to find opportunities to share my story through speaking and writing but this year as I figure out the publishing part. As I look forward it is promising to be a very good year.

I wish you a very happy holiday season and a wonderful journey in 2016. I hope you too figure out where you want to go  and make 2016 a great one! You really are in control of your tomorrows and the journey you want to be on.