Thursday, January 01, 2009

goals, regrets, and things to come

I'm actually quite happy to be starting a new year. I'm so hoping it will be the magic spark to lift the funk that has been permeating my life for the last month. I had actually decided that I was going to forgo setting goals for the new year this time around, but then I read Carl's post. Something he said totally inspired me. And I've decided to make it my one big goal for the year:

Live each day.

So simple, and yet so totally brilliant. Every day matters, and I will make it my mission to make sure I don't miss another one just trying to "get it all done."

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I really, really, really did NOT want to do it, but I finally had to admit to myself that I just couldn't catch up on my blog reading after being out of the loop for more than a week over Christmas. Yep, I hit that damn "mark as read" button. :( Seriously, does it make everyone else as sad as it does me when you have to do that?

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The last couple months, I got really bad about reviewing books. And I figure I'll just make a fresh start of it for the new year. With one exception. I finished Looking for Alaska right before Christmas, and I just have to talk about that one. Also coming soon, a look at all the challenges I wasn't supposed to be signing up for. ;) And a look at all the books I got for Christmas!

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May each and every one of you have a year filled with all you wish for!

13 comments:

Jean said...

Happy New Year, Debi! I haven't read Carl's post, but I took inspiration from something Neil Gaiman had on his blog: "...I hope you will have a wonderful year, that you'll dream dangerously and outrageously, that you'll make something that didn't exist before you made it, that you will be loved and that you will be liked, and that you will have people to love and to like in return. And, most importantly (because I think there should be more kindness and more wisdom in the world right now), that you will, when you need to be, be wise, and that you will always be kind." Definitely words I'd like to live by.

Ana S. said...

I love your goal, Debi.

And yes, I feel sad when I have to click "mark all as read", but sometimes it just has to be done, or else I'd go crazy. Did you notice that Google Reader now has an option to hide the total number of unread posts? It does wonders for my stress levels :P

Can't wait for the post about your Christmas book haul :D And for the others too!

Kailana said...

I hate 'mark all as read' too. I am headed that way right now! People are posting too much and I can't seem to get caught up lately!

chrisa511 said...

I hope you have a fantastic New Year as well Debi! You so deserve it. I can't believe how fast 2008 seemed to go by. But honestly, I'm not at all disappointed that it's over :p Here's to a better 2009!

Carl's post really was wonderful and has inspired me as well. I love your resolution and I think it's one that all of us could benefit from. I'm joining you in that one :)

And who can blame you for emptying out your reader! I was just telling Bookfool that I usually "mark all as read" if I'm over 100! So I can only imagine what you had in yours, lol.

Tell the fam I said happy New Year as well! All the best Debi.

Megan said...

I hate clicking that mark all as read button, too, but sometimes it just has to be done. I've actually had a bit *more* spare time than usual, so I managed to bring mine back from the edge of no return, but just barely. And that almost never happens and I have to concede defeat...which will probably happen soon, but oh well. You can only do what you can do, right? Happy New Year! =D

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

after taking a two week absence from blogging and seeing over 500 posts in my reader today, I'm trying to hit at least one post per person and mark the rest read. I HATE doing that, but I can't possibly get to them all. Some people have posted 30+ posts in the past two weeks!!

Anyway, what a great goal, Debi. It's one of mine for 2009 as well, which might mean a little less reading and blogging and a little more active life living--something I've always had to work at.

Happy New Year! I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas.

Eva said...

Happy New Year!!! And I hope you get out of your funk soon. *hugs* I think the new year is helping me out of mine. :)

You know, I used to feel bad about marking all read in the reader, but I don't anymore. Because I almost always end up catching up with my most important blogging buddies anyway. And I'd rather be commenting on peoples' current posts than desperately wading through such a backlog!

Debi said...

Jean,
I agree...definitely words to live by!

Nymeth,
Ooh, I must go check for that "hide total number" button! That was a brilliant addition on Google's part!

Kailana,
I had to laugh at "People are posting too much..." Is it just me, or does it seem that people seem to post most when you have the least time?

Chris,
I have to agree, I wasn't sorry to see 2008 go either. But I am so looking forward to 2009! I do love my resolution, and I'm so grateful for Carl's inspiration. It's truly amazing the gifts one receives from blogging with friends, isn't it?

Megan,
You're absolutely right. And conceding defeat is far healthier than continuing to stress about it. And a very, very Happy New Year to you, too!

Trish,
I struggle with "living" too. Sometimes I feel like it's always about what "has to get done" and not about the things that make life the precious gift it is. I hope we both succeed with this goal in a big, wonderful way!!!

Eva,
Thank you! I'm glad the new year is wiping out your funk. An you know, I think it's really helping mine, too.
Oh, and about marking them all read...how did you get so wise at such a young age anyway?!!

Dawn said...

Good morning Debi and Happy New Year! I like the goal of living to enjoy the day.

If I don't keep up with blogging I have an awful time trying to catch up. I don't want to leave anyone out but it's too hard (and too time consuming otherwise). I know how you feel. Just think of it as a clean slate for 2009!

take care,
Dawn

Carl V. Anderson said...

"Live each day". Amen to that!

It is okay to wipe the slate clean for blog reading when you've been out of the loop for awhile. We all have to do it and nobody minds.

Thanks Jean for the Gaiman quote. I hadn't read his yet this year. I always love his New Year's wishes, they are very inspiring.

Debi said...

Dawn,
Yes, I like the idea of 2009 representing a clean slate!

Carl,
Agreed! And I really do have you and your New Year's post to thank for the proverbial slap upside the head. I really needed it!

Care said...

It's OK to mark all reads; and if we live and allow each day to be special and allow what needs to come to us to come to us, then it's just Ok to be and take each day... You'll prob read the blogs you NEED to and it will all be fun, as it should be. Happy New Year!

Melody said...

I know I'm late... but I'd like to wish you and your family a Happy, healthy and prosperous New Year! :)