You’ve done it before and you can do it now. See the positive possibilities. Redirect the substantial energy of your frustration and turn it into positive, effective, unstoppable determination. ~Ralph Marston
With all due respect to Mr. Marston, determination takes you only so far. And, no, I’m not talking about the try, try, try again stuff, but rather about activities and experiences. This is, after all, frightfully close to the New Year and looking back. Think about what you’ve done in prior years and other things that you haven’t yet tried. I’ll share my list and hope to hear from some of you with items you’d add.
Childhood - done and dusted
Some of the items below will be familiar to most readers. A few were mentioned in a post about childhood last year but with a different slant. Others, not so much, and a few of these simply aren’t done anywhere in the U.S. Not anymore. Consider, too, that all of these were possible and appropriate (mostly) because of the time (mid-20th century) and place (town with a population of fewer than 10,000). These memories are all from elementary years and most of them I could–and would–do again.
- Making mud pies
- Playing a pedal organ
- Using a magnifying glass to catch a paper bag on fire
- Walking 5 blocks to my grandmother’s after school (6 years old)
- Playing “Hangman” on a blackboard
- Riding in a THP helicopter w/no doors
- Using a scythe in a neighbor’s front yard
- Making butter
- Smoking a grape vine
- Catching tadpoles
- Learning to crotchet
- Quilting with my grandmother & her sisters – I’m sure the stitches were removed. Well, I hope so.
- Playing “Horse” with a basketball in the backyard.
And a few more from other years
About the items below – some I would happily do again if I was physically able. Others are a hard no and most of those are because I had no say in my participation level.
- Walking across a swinging bridge. Not a pleasant experience, thanks to someone swinging it to excess.You know who you are.
- Swimming in a natural pool underneath one of those bridges. Refreshing! Seriously, I don’t remember it being chilly, so it couldn’t have been. The water was lovely and clear.
- Riding in the back of a pickup truck, standing up and holding onto the cargo bar. Complete bliss. Not legal now; maybe not then, either.
- Swimming in a lake at Natchez Trace and Chickasaw. Who knows what was in there with us?
- Canoeing on the Buffalo River. Great fun, but not sure I’d enjoy dodging rocks and rapids in this decade.
- Snorkeling in the Pacific. Disastrous. Apparently, my brain doesn’t take directions to breathe only through my mouth.
All of the above were with at least one family member or a good friend and maybe that’s why I remember them so well. I’m glad I do, because some can’t be replicated. I feel sorry for anyone who hasn’t been exposed to these [mostly] cheap thrills.
The point of these lists, for me at least, is to recall the joy of an era when my focus was riveted on whatever I was doing at the time – riding my bike, walking to school with friends, or driving up and down 22nd Avenue on Friday nights. It was as near bliss as I could have experienced at 16.
Yet to be done
With a new year fast approaching, most of us will be considering potential day trips, if nothing else. While I hope not to board any swinging bridges or don a snorkeling mask (ever again), in 2025 I do hope to challenge myself with more than arranging words electronically, though there will be some of that.
So, in no particular order, and recognizing that goals should be SMART:
- Hiking – while I would love to see the view from Mt. LeConte, or at least Gregory Bald, I recognize my limitations. So, I’m shooting to make it to Alum Cave, Great Smoky Mountains.
- Writing – complete my current project and make significant inroads into another.
- Learning – this is a no-brainer because I volunteer with an amazing group of people whose knowledge is deep and wide. The topics will be revealed to me as the year ages, but I will learn in 2025 with or without intention. 😉
I do have a non-SMART goal for the coming year. While it is achievable, relevant, and possibly specific, it is neither measurable nor time-bound. Still worth it, I think. The idea of blowing away distractions as though they are puffballs on a dandelion and enjoying the moment is quite compelling. I need to do more of that; I’ll include that one as well.
In case you’re wondering, I am sharing my intentions here as self-motivation so that 12 months from now I have no regrets about what hasn’t been done. You might want to do the same–you know, for self-accountability. But before I tie this one up, I wish you all a productive and joyful year, one in which you find your whimsy, in case you lost it along the way. I hope 2025 takes you where you want to be.
The first step to getting somewhere is to decide you’re not going to stay where you are. J. P. Morgan
Bottle rocket fights
Dirt clod fights( trash can kids for shields)
Skateboard pulled behind a bicycle like a ski
Persimmon fights( fighting from 50 yards away)
Snake and frog catching( yup that’s where is started)
Rest Inwont mention for fear of judgement lol.
I was not surprised at the snake and frog catching but slightly alarmed by the skateboard skiing. Yikes! And thanks for withholding details that might have to be cut. 😉
Great post with fun memories and goals. I didn’t watch “The Office” religiously, but it always makes me laugh, perhaps because I’ve worked in environments just as insane.
I didn’t watch “The Office” myself, but ran across this clip and thought it fit. I might have to find some old episodes and give it a try. I’m sure I’ll see people I “know”.
Speaking of self-accountability, I’m reminded of my sifu’s words: “There are two mistakes along the way to self-mastery: Not starting it and not going all the way”.
I like that advice, and I appreciate the opportunity to learn a new word. I hadn’t heard “sifu” before.