It seemed like a good idea at the time.
I picked out a beautiful 2000 piece puzzle of Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany for my mom this year for Christmas. It has been years since I did one and thought that it would give us something fun to do together. The together part is working out fine, but the “fun”? We’re still waiting for that to kick in.
As I painfully search for pieces with the exact patterns, shapes, images, etc., I hunch over a disaster that frustrates me into a punishing backache. I have it set up on a table in our house that takes up the most part of our family room. There is no way to walk by the thing without looking at the embarrassing lack of progress and returning to that hunched position with a dire need to redeem myself by finding “just one more piece.” After about an hour of work and 15 minutes of trying to stand up straight, it occurred to me that this death wish of a ‘gift’ feels uncomfortably familiar.
The new year is upon us and, although I resist at the start, I usually end up with at least a few ‘resolutions’ or goals that I put out into the Universe hoping I make my way to them within the next 365 or less days. “Hoping” is the operative word there. Every year, I tend to look at the entire year all at once, in all of its possibilities. And, every year, I find myself overwhelmed with all of the work involved. Unlike the puzzle, I shudder recognizing all the pieces of my life floating around looking for a place to belong. I lose steam quickly and create some pretty amazing excuses, distractions and impressive cases of sudden amnesia—all in an effort to completely avoid getting anywhere in my big picture.
The thing is, my life is consumed by these unmet goals or resolutions just like that table is fully present in my family room. I can’t get through a day without noticing how little progress I’m getting to something that really could be beautiful, too.
Now, this doesn’t mean that I don’t accomplish things, because I certainly do. What I’m not happy with is that they aren’t the ones my heart is aiming for and are often downsized for various reasons. For the last two years, I’ve come up with some general goals allowing myself to ease up on some of the pressure in completing them. That hasn’t been working out. I’ve noticed lately several people talking about choosing only one word to focus on for your year, giving yourself something to look for in every day whether it be peace, joy, laughter, gratitude, and so forth. The only work would be to find something in every day that reflects the word you choose.
I don’t trust myself in doing that. I have been generally stating goals such as “better health” or “get in shape” thinking that they cover the bases. In reality, they leave me off the hook and unmotivated.
Perhaps I just need to focus on a visual reminder to get me through this year. Puzzle. 
(image: Buffalo Games)
This year, I chose only five goals that I want to see myself accomplish and complete. I am viewing each goal as if it were a part of a big puzzle. With Neuschwanstein, I am breaking the whole thing down by working on the sections of the picture: castle, lake, and branches. With my goals, I’m using the same process and one that is recommended whenever we put together our action plans to address personal goals. By having objectives that are specific and measurable, I’ll have direction, more focus and know when I’ve completed the tasks. That will eventually make up the goal, because each image will become clear with every piece I place. One of my five goals is still about improving my health, but I think I’ve come up with a more targeted action plan and already see positive progress. Eureka!
One objective I’m using to measure my progress this year to “Build More Health Opportunities” (both for this project and myself) is choosing resources that get me to be more physically active and outdoors. My current gym membership—you know, the one I made a big deal about starting last year?—expires in March and I’m not going to admit to you how many times I actually ended up going. Let’s just say they were pretty darned expensive workouts. The good news is that I do better with actual deadlines imposed on me by others AND I’ve found a way to integrate the gym experience more into my daily life. That’s a whole ‘nother post, though.
This past week, I went to my first PDX Meetup.com group called Portland Women’s Outdoor Club . The registration for this group grew so quickly and, I suspect, will continue to do so, as many of us celebrate in the realization that we can find others at similar physical and skill levels to motivate us to get out there. There is a great mix of skill levels, interests and ages among the women who attended the first meeting. I was happy to hear that the activities that I want to take part in more often and learn for the first time were shared by the majority of gals there. Beginning mountain climbing/repelling, hiking, backpacking, and snowshoeing (although I really need to work on my stamina for that one!). It was easy to find someone who had a lot of experience in this group in these particular activities who could lead the rest of us newbies. There are also some pretty creative gals in coming up with some other options when the Oregon winter just isn’t something we feel like experiencing. I haven’t gone to one of the activities yet, but my curiosity is peaked about this Wednesday’s gathering to learn how to make a coke can alcohol stove (for those ultralight backpackers in all of us.)
I will go ahead and cross this objective off, because I’ve signed up with an opportunity and met some of these gals—my biggest hurdles. I am really excited and encourage any of you locally to check this group out. The more people, the more options, more opportunities and all the more likely I will take part.
I hope to see you, too!
