Happy New Year!

The fact that you’re reading this is proof that you made it through 2007 in one piece.

And I don’t know about you, but that alone – forget for a minute the things we usually consider important: jobs, homes, cars, money – is reason enough for me to thank God.

2007 was a strange year for me. I started off with a big bang and it was full steam ahead…

…until a couple of well-aimed blows mid-year knocked me for six, kicking the ‘oomph’ outta me. Left gasping for breath, it was all I could do to make it to the finish line. I just about hobbled across on my crutches, all battered and bruised…

…but enough of that! It’s 2008, and I’ve got my groove back!

First I must apologise to readers of my blog, the regulars in particular. The frequency of my writing waned and almost screeched to a halt towards the end of the year. Well, I’m back on the case and promise to make amends.

So, let’s see. I’m not big into the whole New Year resolution fad. It only reminds me of paying shedloads to join the gym in January and not even remembering which street it’s on by March!

So no, I don’t do resolutions per se. But I do like to make a list of the goals I want to achieve in any given year. There’s definitely something to be said for writing down a vision and making it plain.

Plus, I like to take a peek at my list at regular intervals over the course of the year. It keeps me focused, and helps me make sure I’m still ‘on track’. That way, when I review my list at the end of the year, I’ll be amazed at how many things I can cross off!

Here’s my list. It’s made up of some big things, and some smaller, more frivolous things. They’re all important to me, I think, so – don’t laugh! – here goes…

• Register for and start Creative Writing Course (this was a carry-over from last year)
• Write more…and get paid for it! (How am I ever going to achieve financial independence otherwise?!?)
• Read more
• Continue judicious planning and execution in the area of my finances
• Make sure I do not get into any more debt – if I can’t afford it, I ain’t getting it!
• Smile more
• Complain less (I stumbled across this great-sounding book called A Complaint Free World: How to Stop Complaining and Start Enjoying the Life You Always Wanted by Will Bowen. I’ll be reading and posting my thoughts on it here shortly!)
• Continue keeping fit (buy a bicycle, keep walking, get a tennis racket, even start running again, perhaps?!?)
• Oh yeah, to start running again, I need to get my foot sorted out
• Stay off chocolate
• Smile some more!
• Get my driving licence (hopefully it’ll be 4th time lucky…sigh!)
• Drop the sarcasm! (Okay, that’ll be hard. How ’bout I just take it down a notch?!?)
• Indulge my love of music by listening to more classical music and introducing myself to the wonderful world of opera
• Go to the theatre more often
• Start piano lessons – and buy a piano if I can
• Take each day as it comes, and not obsess about things being perfect (Life’s too short. I’m going to learn to chill out and enjoy it instead of being an obsessive fusspot!)

That’s me done for now. All that’s left is for me to wish you a Happy and Prosperous 2008…here’s hoping it’s a great year for you, and that all your dreams come true!