The Untrodden Path Ahead

It’s the start of another year, and like many people, I am looking back at 2022 with a mix of pride and regret, whilst looking forward to the blank slate of 2023 and all the things that I might see and do.

Last year, I launched my writing career by self-publishing my first book, humbled by how many people liked it and wrote such lovely positive reviews. I also welcomed my first granddaughter into the family. I still can’t get over how precious she is to me, and how my heart expanded with love for her.

It was also the year I finally got covid after avoiding it for so long – on my holiday no less - meaning I missed out on my anticipated visits to Iceland and Belfast. My computer gave up the ghost costing me a pretty penny to retrieve my manuscripts which I wrongly thought were safely backed up. My back suddenly developed a problem resulting in weeks of pain and two hospital visits, all of which conspired to delay my goal of publishing book three in time for Christmas.

In the Bible, Proverbs 16:9 says, “We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.” There are many things I would like to do in the next 365 days, but there is no guarantee that my plans will cone to fruition. Events, both good and bad, will derail my carefully thought-out calendar. I have certainly found that true in my life! However, It doesn’t stop me from making those plans, and writing my lists.

For the past couple of years, I have decided on three area to concentrate on and make goals for: personal, professional and domestic.

Personal goals are about who I am as a person now and what changes I would like to see by this time next year. “Losing weight” is a target I gave up long ago, and I feel much better for it. Instead of trying to alter my body to conform to societies idea of health and beauty, I concentrate on my inner life. How is my mental health? Do I need to incorporate rest, self-healing or forgiveness this year? How is my spiritual health? In what ways can I draw closer to God, or become more aware of his work in my life and the lives of the people I love?

My professional goals are concentrated around my writing, whether it be my latest WIP, my blog, my website, or my social media presence. I avoid targets like “grow my email list to 500”, because not only is it out of my direct control, but it is also wildly unrealistic. Instead, I am looking to publish the third book in my trilogy as well as the prequel, edit my fourth book and complete the first draft of book one in my new series.

Having 500 subscribers to my newsletter, would be pretty awesome, though.

Domestic goals centre around the house and its upkeep. They can include decorating or decluttering a room, repairs and purchases, and chores that are not immediate but need to be tackled, such as sending my wedding certificate to my insurance company so they can change the name on my policy. If I tell you that I am celebrating my silver anniversary this year, you’ll understand why it needs to be listed!

There is a lot of wriggle room to my goals. By giving myself the whole year, rather than more specific dates, I am already building in time for the unexpected and unwelcome. My back issues are ongoing. My father’s health is failing rapidly. My daughter in law will be returning to work at some point, and Nana will be called upon to take up childcare duties. (I can’t wait!) Stephen Spielberg might ring for permission to adapt my books into films.

Okay, I admit that’s a pretty far-fetched scenario, but one never knows what delights will happen!

New Year is a good time to put the past behind you, take stock of who you are now, and look forward to becoming a better person in the future. 2023 has only just begun. Opportunities, surprises and delights await. Embrace it all, both the good and the bad. Learn from them, use them as chances to grow and mature, be thankful for your blessings, let the tears fall freely. Tick off the goals you achieve and take a new look at those left uncompleted.

Above all, live in such a way that the end of 2023 will find you a better person than when it started.