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Monday, December 30, 2013

Milestones

I’m sure I’m not alone, but for me, this time of year always inspires reflection and self-evaluation. I find myself looking back at what I’ve accomplished, determining what I have yet to do, and then looking ahead toward where I want to be. This applies to all types of goals—physical, career/skills, social, and spiritual. I look at several things: Do I still want to meet those same goals? What has changed over the past several months that should have me re-prioritizing? What do I want to focus on in the new year if I have limited energy and resources? What have I learned in the past year that I can apply to the next one?

It is also a time for looking at how far I have yet to go to meet my major (or long-term) goals. Yes, they say life is about the journey, not the destination, but I'm not one to leave everything to fate. I'm a planner. An organizer. I can't help myself, and checking things off my goal and to-do lists makes me all giddy inside. But I often have to remind myself that it's not all about the big milestones (publishing a book, making a bestseller list, etc.). Milestones can be more subtle than that. (And sometimes we don’t know we’ve been on a journey until we’re well underway.) So don't forget the smaller mile markers in between the bigger, flashier ones. And make sure you celebrate each appropriately.

Speaking of milestones, hubby and I will celebrate our anniversary on New Year’s Eve. It’ll be number nineteen, and we’re already looking ahead to how we want to celebrate the big two-oh. We’re talking about traveling, maybe to a warm beach somewhere…and possibly renewing our vows. The excitement of thinking of these possibilities and marking time in special ways is what had me thinking about milestones today, and about how these celebrations are necessary. (And sometimes, just making it through the day with the whole family intact is worth noting.) Big or small, achievements must be celebrated.

In this new year, I hope you find many reasons to celebrate, and enjoy the journey along the way...


Where would you go or what would you do to celebrate a big anniversary? How do you mark the milestones in your life? Where do you see your journey taking you in 2014?

9 comments:

Ana Barrons said...

Congratulations on your 19th anniversary! And thanks for a lovely, thoughtful post to end the year. (The warm beach gets my vote..)

Marcelle Dubé said...

Congratulations on your 19th wedding anniversary, Anne Marie. I hope you get to celebrate your 20th with an extraordinary trip.

Anne Marie Becker said...

Thanks, Ana & Marcelle! I can't believe it's been 19 years. :)

Rita said...

Happy Anniversary! My goals are not lofty. I am happy these days to make it hour to hour. LOL.
I want to wish you all a happy and healthy 2014.

Arlene said...

19 years? Where does the time go? I suppose I'll have been out of college 20 years in June. My big, lofty goal for 2014 is to be able to say sayonara to the day job—if not by the end of 2014, then by the end of 2015. I don't know if it'll happen, but I'm going to put in a lot of hustle.

Elise Warner said...

Congratulations on your 19th. My husband and I celebrated our anniversary on Christmas. A trip to someplace you always wanted to see is pretty special. For 2014, I hope to finish a cozy and write many more articles. Happy and healthy New Year everyone.

Anne Marie Becker said...

@Rita, thank you, and I wish you the same!!

@Arlene - I know, right?! Where DID that time go? I hope you can make that dream of leaving the day job behind a reality, and with your work ethic, I'm sure you will!

@Elise - Thanks so much. And Happy Anniversary to you, too!!

Toni Anderson said...

Anne Marie, Happy Anniversary for tomorrow :) I think 20 is definitely worth a special celebration.
You've had a busy year. I hope you are proud of everything you've achieved so far! All the best for 2014!

Anne Marie Becker said...

Thanks, Toni - I am proud. It was a busy year, and 2014 is shaping up to be even busier! :)

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