Reflections and Projections

2010.

Now that the aught years of the 21st century are over, exactly how are we pronouncing this one? Two thousand ten? Two oh one oh? Two oh ten? Or just ten? I'm inclined to side with the twenty ten camp, but this eve of a new decade begs a more important question.

Forget, “How did 2009 get away from us?” Let's instead try, “How in the heck can it be 2010 already?!?!?!” Weren’t we just yesterday discussing Y2K? Have ten years really passed in the blink of an eye?

Time may be a fixed constant, but why does it seem to fly so quickly as we get older? Some have speculated that it's relative: One year for a 10-year-old is only one-tenth of their life, while one year for a 50-year-old is one-fiftieth. I dunno. Numbers and science make my head hurt, but I like the way Albert Einstein explained it: “Sit with a beautiful woman for an hour, and it seems like a minute. Sit on a hotplate for a minute, and it seems like an hour. That's relativity.”

The year 2000 seems forever ago, yet things that debuted then have become the staples of today. Reality TV. Digital music. Global warming. Blogging. Similarly, much has changed in my life in the last decade, and it will continue to evolve in the years to come. It would be great if time would stand still while I figure it all out, but the clock keeps on ticking. Though 60 minutes will continue to be 60 minutes, one year will still be one year, and a decade will remain a decade, there's always room for improvement. That being said, you’re probably wondering, “Whassup?!?!?” (Please tell me no one really still uses that ...)

For the year twenty ten I'm foregoing resolutions; I never end up keeping them. I instead hope to implement lifestyle changes which will become the foundation for my tomorrow. As Einstein again profoundly noted, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” (For the record, I never have been, and don't plan to be, the president of Al's fan club; I just like his quotes!) If I want this year, and those thereafter, to be compromised of significant change and growth, it's time to get busy living or get busy dying (name that movie).  Making resolutions is easy; keeping them not so much. But I have to believe that by putting into practice the following “ten in ten,” something will be different this time around. I’ll explore this in more detail by blogging daily (hence the birth of “365 in 2010”), but in a nutshell here's the plan.

Write! No. 18 of columnist Regina Brett's Life Lessons says, “A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.” What a novel idea (pun intended)! My No. 1 resolution for 2009 was to be published in some way, shape or form. The past year has come and gone, yet still no Pulitzer. Might help if I actually wrote something, huh? Blogging about my daily life may not spawn the next great American novel and may very likely put you to sleep, but it will get me into the habit of writing. It's a start. After that ... who knows?

Take More Pictures! Wipe that incredulous look off your face. I know I already take more pictures in a day than someone else can take in a year. I’ve often been told I have a photographic eye, but I admit to sorely lacking in technical know-how. As is the case with the query of “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” I need to practice, practice, practice for anything at which I wish to excel. So Part Deux of “365 in 2010” is to post a photograph every day. It may not be substantively or aesthetically worthy, and I seriously doubt I’ll become the next Ansel Adams, but with this approach my picture-taking ability's gotta improve, right?

Read! Would you believe I have discovered nearly 50+ books at home that I have yet to read? Oh sure ... my library looks great with all those novels lining the shelves, but I suspect it will be more advantageous to brush the cobwebs from their pages and the corners of my mind by actually sitting down to read them. Each month I plan to choose one from the top 100 novels of the 20th century, one from Oprah's book club, and one from all those other “must reads” everyone insists I check out. I can easily devour three books a month, and am looking forward to making the time to sit by the fire with a glass of wine and narrative in hand.

Tackle My Bucket List! I started checking things off my Bucket List long before the idea became popular with the release of the movie in 2007. I’ve made great progress since its inception in the last decade, but still have lots more to accomplish. Since I likely won't be jet-setting to far flung corners of the globe this year, I'll have to get creative in crossing off “ten in ten.” Anyone have a cow I can milk? I'd hate to think I actually have to break down and mow the lawn.

Travel in My Own Backyard! Though aforementioned Bucket List is largely compromised of international locales I’m just dying to check out, unless I win the lottery or have a wealthy hunk show up on my doorstep (either--or both--of which would be readily welcomed!), I'm planning to stay a wee bit closer to home this year. I’ve noticed many places right in my own backyard which appear worthy of exploration. As long as there are nooks and crannies in which to poke around, I know I won't be bored. Let's see what I can discover sans passport with a day trip or an overnighter.

Try Something Different! The road less traveled (read: that beyond my mailbox) can be a bit scary, but I’ve found I am happiest (and learn the most) when I dare to step outside the confines of my comfort zone. I don't always end up loving what I set out to do, but how will I know that unless I try? I'd rather figure it out on my own instead of discounting something with someone else’s opinion. Different strokes, right?

Tackle Projects! Okay, my to-do list admittedly has reached astronomical proportions. I know I'm seriously behind when in January I find shorts and sleeveless shirts in the ironing pile. Household repairs never end either ... they multiply like the dust bunnies under the bed. And just saying the word “scrapbook” makes me crazy. I'm not only mentally housecleaning with all this introspective contemplation, but am on a serious clean and purge mission as well. I need to get on top of some of these things and whittle the register before I add more to it.

Improve Self Care! We all chant the “exercise more, eat less” mantra this time of year (which I seriously need to do), but I can also come up with another “ten in ten” to take better care of me. Drink more water, less Pepsi. Take a multivitamin daily. Floss regularly (my dentist AND my teeth would be much happier, I'm sure). Figure out in the grand scheme of skin care where I fit in as a woman with wrinkles AND the occasional blemish. Honestly! My packaging may no longer be as pretty, but it's still worth attending to.

Go Green! I apologize to MSU alum, but this does not involve rooting for the Spartys. Although I have no children, it's important to start paying more attention to preserving for future generations the standard of living I enjoy today. Admittedly, I have not been very limey, mossy, springy, piney, or emerald, and need to figure out what I can do to make a difference.

Enjoy the Ride! Will this “ten in ten” plan go into effect on Monday (I have to get through the last round of holiday parties this weekend) and I become a brand new person by Friday? Uh, no. Ain't gonna happen. As I chug through the inevitable peaks and valleys, I'm sure I’ll constantly derail. But, as long as I keep getting back on track, I’ll be making progress. Isn't that what it's all about?  And with that in mind, the following essay I’ve also unearthed nicely sums up what I hope to accomplish this year.

2010.

Happy. New. Year. I like the sound of that!

***

The Station by Robert Hastings

Tucked away in our subconscious minds is an idyllic vision in which we see ourselves on a long journey that spans an entire continent. We’re traveling by train and, from the windows, we drink in the passing scenes of cars on nearby highways, of children waving at crossings, of cattle grazing in distant pastures, of smoke pouring from power plants, of row upon row upon row of cotton and corn and wheat, of flatlands and valleys, of city skylines and village halls.

But uppermost in our conscious minds is our final destination--for at a certain hour and on a given day, our train will finally pull into the Station with bells ringing, flags waving, and bands playing. And once that day comes, so many wonderful dreams will come true. So restlessly, we pace the aisles and count the miles, peering ahead, waiting, waiting, waiting for the Station.

“Yes, when we reach the Station, that will be it!” we promise ourselves. “When were eighteen ... win that promotion ... put the last kid through college ... buy that 450SL Mercedes-Benz ... have a nest egg for retirement!”

From that day on we will all live happily ever after.

Sooner or later, however, we must realize there is no Station in this life, no one earthly place to arrive at once and for all. The journey is the joy. The Station is an illusion--it constantly outdistances us. Yesterday's a memory, tomorrow's a dream. Yesterday belongs to a history, tomorrow belongs to God. Yesterday's a fading sunset, tomorrow's a faint sunrise. Only today is there light enough to love and live.

So, gently close the door on yesterday and throw the key away. It isn’t the burdens of today that drive men mad, but rather regret over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow. Regret and fear are twin thieves who would rob us of today.

“Relish the moment” is a good motto, especially when coupled with Psalm 118:24, “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

So stop pacing the aisles and counting the miles. Instead, swim more rivers, climb more mountains, kiss more babies, count more stars. Laugh more and cry less. Go barefoot oftener. Eat more ice cream. Ride more merry-go-rounds. Watch more sunsets. Life must be lived as we go along. The Station will come soon enough.