Anyone who knows me would agree that 2008 was an eventful year for me. In fact, it provided enough fodder for several novels, if I was of a mind to write semi-autobiographical material. Living through book-worthy experiences is rarely pleasant! Yet during NYE dinner last night with Heather, we concluded that 2008 was a good year for us.
We also resolved that 2009 would be a year of repose. Both of us are dealing with serious health issues — some curable, some not — that flared up last year and forced us to reevaluate our life goals.
Thus, I am going to set a few goals for 2009, hoping that as I hit 40 (!) I will possess sufficient maturity to adhere to them.
1. Get Healthy
I lost a considerable amount of lung function from 2006-2008, in part due to neglect. With my condition, I cannot allow myself to be a slacker. 2009 will be a year of compliance with all of my treatment regimen, regardless of how inconvenient it might be. I am not one for habits, but this will become a habit.
2. Simplify
Before I was married, I cluttered up my life with endless projects: the small press, two bands, several novels, several websites, freelance web design, guitar building, home recording. Heather helped me to recognize that I would drive myself to distraction trying to keep up with all of my homework, ultimately failing at each and condemning myself for it. 2009 will be a year of simplicity and focus. I’ll work on a book or two at a leisurely pace, build a guitar if I see fit, play in just one band. And I’ll enjoy life with my new family. It seems so obvious when put into words, but I was overcommitted for years without realizing it.
3. Write
Write, but not at the frantic pace I assigned myself in the past. Let the stories flow. Write some short stories for quicker satisfaction (and also weirder topics than would sustain a book). The small press, originally conceived as a means to publish works by my friends and myself, was a huge distraction from actual writing.
4. Read
My reading diet dwindled over the last few years as I dedicated myself to writing. No more. I’m committing to read two books a month…. and not just pulpy sci fi. I’m going to explore the classics and newer works of literary merit. For some reason I don’t crave escapism quite so much these days. Is there a videogame where you pull your dysfunctional family back together while grappling with a midlife crisis? I’m kidding, of course. Boom!
5. Enjoy
I am lucky to have many great things in my life: a wonderful wife (and that’s new), my old reliable pug Champ, the new monstrous puppy Arthur, Violent Violet the Lick Bandito cat, The Scree (or whatever we rename the band) and a great album, great guitars that I built myself, a lot of fascinating and inspiring or comforting friends, the skill to write fiction, a great city to live in. I worked hard to have these things. I am going to spend the year exploring them without yearning for something more. Sometimes it’s difficult to recognize when you have won.
Happy New Year.
