End of Year Snippets

~ patwdoyle11

This post is a series of random blog post starters that never turned into full blogs.   It’s emptying the files for a fresh start in the New Year.

  • I saw this quote recently: “The idea that I have anything meaningful to impart is fraudulent.” I often have this feeling when I make a blog post. And that feeling was quadrupled as I hit the send button on publishing my book manuscript last month. The inner voice was screaming, “Who the h-ll do you think you are?” But I continue to make progress on silencing that voice and hope to announce the publication of my Retirement Transition book soon.

 

  • I continue to slay the Compare & Despair Monster by focusing on what I have accomplished (52 New Things List!), the new identity I have formed (still has no obvious name/title though), the connections I’ve created both IRL and on-line, and the growing awareness and acceptance of who I am (my uniqueness). I HAVE adapted more healthy regimens, forged new friendships, and become more mindful and more positive.

 

  • I need to learn to make art for the sake of creating. Work on a new belief that art does not need to be sold, or even shared… it can just be. The act of trying to create art – mixed media, jewelry, and origami – in itself can be enough. I WILL put time on my calendar to do one of these creative things.

 

  • I’m struggling with some long-term bucket list items. Do I give up on those dreams? Our trip to Iceland to see the Northern Lights did not result in us seeing the Northern Lights. It was the right time and the right place, but Mother Nature was not cooperating. Do I try again or let go of the dream? My experience with getting a motorcycle license and learning to ride a scooter can be only described as terrifying. Again, do I give up this dream or push though that fear? Another long-term item came up recently in a friend’s conversation – getting an outfit hand made. This is easy-to-do when in Thailand, but when I travelled for work, I never was in Thailand for any extended period to make it happen. Now, it’s probably not going to happen.   I’m struggling with how do I let go of these long-held bucket list items, or do I continue to hold onto them?

 

  • I’ve the honor of guest blogging over on Kathy’s Smart Living 365 blog.   I am delighted she asked me to do a New Year’s post over there. The topic is Happiness by Design and includes a tool to look at whether your actual activities and actions line up with your values-based plans. Check it out at this link.

 

  • My Word of the Year 2019 = Journey.

Create the Vision. Plan the Path. Live the Journey.

What this means: Live every day as it comes. Find joy in each day. Practice positivity. Accept myself as I am. I will use my 101 New &/Or Fun Things in 2019 to track my journey. I will continue to focus on healthy habits, playing with words (reading, writing, crosswords), getting outside, enjoying our homes, dinner & conversation with friends (my absolute favorite thing), and having mini-adventures. That is my retirement lifestyle vision and hopefully my journey this coming year.

Happy New Year to All!

Published by patwdoyle11

Life is a series of transitions and my blog captures my retirement transition journey.

39 thoughts on “End of Year Snippets”

  1. I find myself nodding in agreement with everything you write! Kudos to you for completing your goals despite the inner critic’s attempts to derail you.

    I adore your word of the year. I may have to borrow that in 2020 🙂

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  2. I so agree with Robert Barron’s take on the bucket list. It should evolve just as we do. And sometimes, it’s about the questions, not the answers (or a check mark beside a bucket list item). If you don’t follow through with a bucket list item, it seems the question is – What’s holding me back? Seeing the northern lights is on your bucket list, something I’ve seen often from my porch here in NE Alberta. It reminds me that I have much to be thankful for.

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    1. Mona, I do like the idea of asking “what’s holding me back?” My list is really a possibilities list, not a bucket list. I do check things off when I do them, and I have dropped things that I’ve determined I really do not want to do anymore (it’s sometimes a” what was I thinking” moment). I’ve decided the Northern Lights will stay as a possibility…. you never know when the opportunity will arise…but I’m not going to plan another trip around it! How wonderful for you to see them from your own porch. I met someone the other day from Fairbanks and she said the same thing. But, then again, I can see the sunset at the beach most evenings if I desire right now….yes, much to be grateful for!

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  3. Ditto on making art for the sake of creating. I often think ‘what am I going to do with another…’. And that, among other thoughts, keeps me from proceeding. I need to finish that mosaic and that painting and that scrapbook page. Still working through “It’s Never Too Late”. Picked it up again this morning and thought of you.

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    1. I’ve also got half-finished pieces, lots of elements for others (I cannot go into crafts stores any more!), kits I’ve bought to try. I WILL be making some art this year. I have been able to do coloring books just to do it – it’s also very soothing.

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  4. Hello Pat. The question of whether to hold on to bucket list items is a tricky one. How much do you really want to do them? Does visualizing the activity still quicken your heart? Deciding when to push through fear and when to say, “I just don’t enjoy that” is an especially tough one for me. One parting note–I for one have found much meaningful in the words you share, so keep on doing it and good luck with your manuscript. Here we go 2019!

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    1. I like the question “does it quicken your heart?” And in a good way… not a fearful way! I’ll need to think on that for all three times before I put them aside (or not). Thanks!

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  5. This is a great way of sharing some unfinished thoughts Pat! I also have a few lingering in my drafts folder or in my notes. You are going really well on your journey and it’s a pleasure to visit with you every now and again. Don’t give up! #mlstl

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    1. I encourage you to take the dozens and make a few blogs. It’s a bit of a cheat, but it was interesting to see which snippets people responded to! Unfortunately, I now have a fully blank blog post sheet for the new year.

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  7. Happy New Year Pat, and may 2019 be full of wonderful journeys for you. I agree so much about the demon monster inside us that rears his ugly head and tells us we are not good enough or should do more or be more. I was feeling like that when I came back to blogging in January. Then I read Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout and that book, so full of small human truths, gave me the freedom to just be myself. So I’m hanging onto that feeling! Best of luck with your book – Go You! Shared on SM.

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    1. Johanna, putting that book on my must read list! I’ve struggled with the concept of freedom, so your comment about “giving you the freedom to just be you” is so intriguing. Thanks for sharing.

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  8. Happy New Year, Pat and congratulations on writing your book – so exciting and a great way to start a new year. I also like the idea of using art to create just for myself. I’ve never thought of myself as an artist but would really like to make time in 2019. I love your word ‘Journey’ which to me says that we are always learning and moving forward. My words to 2019 are ‘Commit’ and ‘Evolve’. I think that we are always evolving but perhaps don’t recognise it. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and I love the idea of using them even though they never made it to ‘full blog’ status. It was a lovely recap. Thank you for being part of our first #MLSTL link up for 2019 and look forward to reading more about your journey in 2019. xx

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    1. Thanks Sue. And thanks to you & Leanne for continuing the #MLSTL link up. I really enjoy it!

      Creating some art is definitely on my to-do list this year….and it will be interesting to see what direction that takes. For you as well.

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  9. I love your word and your vision and look forward to following along with you in 2019. I also have that small abusive voice in my head that seems to scream at me every time I publish a post. Working hard on trying to ignore it. #MLSTLShared on SM

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  10. Your “Who the hell do I think…” reminds of me of my dad. When he reached a point of reflection late in life he used to like to say as almost a non-sequitur, “God, I was full of it.” Hindsight can sometimes be painful, I suppose. Looking forward is probably healthier. All the same, my unsolicited two cents? Forget the motorcycle license. 🙂 – Marty

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    1. Marty, It’s really for a scooter for down here in FL. The kind that goes 25-30 mph. We’re on a barrier island and the highest speed limit is 35 on the main drag… 20 on most side streets. Still not sure about it; I’m going to let it “simmer” awhile – but not this snowbird adventure for sure. I just have this vision of scootering around to places (versus my bicycle).

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  11. “The idea that I have anything meaningful to impart is fraudulent.”

    Not true at all. Will you have something meaningful to impart to every single person who reads your blog? Probably not. Will you have something meaningful to impart to many of the people who read your blog? Definitely. Will you have a LIFE-CHANGING bit of information to impart to someone who reads your blog? Quite possibly. You are like George Bailey in “It’s a Wonderful Life”. You plant a lot of seeds and you just may never know the healthy plants that result from your efforts.

    With regard to your book, I know you well enough to know that you would not write some derivative, repetitive piece of drivel. With the breadth of reading and research you’ve done, I am certain that you’ve identified the gaps and the weak spots and you will have an original spin that will build on and extend the topic. Again, will it change everyone’s life? Maybe not. Does it have the potential to change the lives of at least a few people? Damn straight!

    Bucket lists (or Someday/Maybe lists) are meant to be flexible. Just because something was a dream at one point in your life doesn’t mean that it has to be a dream forever. There is no rule that says that you have to ride into eternity clenching every bucket list item tightly in your fist. Circumstances change, you change, your dreams change. If it’s something you absolutely loved at one point, but now you’re questioning it’s value, maybe it’s time to say, “hasta la vista baby” and move on. If you’re anything like me, you are probably constantly coming up with new items to add to those lists.

    Best wishes for an outstanding 2019 and remember to be kind to yourself!

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    1. Bob, OMG… comparing me to George Bailey is really sweet. I do hope at times that I’ve made a difference – at work when I mentored and coached many and now, with my blog (and book). It’s just that voice inside my head challenges me. Thanks for being a voice outside my head that forcibly says the opposite!

      I do think I’m keeping Northern Lights on the possibilities list. Someday I might have another opportunity and I’ll take advantage of it. And yes, things get added to the list.

      Happy New Year to you & Jackie!

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  12. What a fun way to look at those little unfinished bits of business Pat. I also loved your WOTY – I think we’re all journeying and some just do it more intentionally and passionately than others. I love how you have so many plans and your book in the works too – looking forward to seeing where you journey to in 2019 and I’ll be along for the ride xx

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    1. Leanne, I’m glad you’ll be along for the ride this year. I really do look to my blogging buddies to be cheerleaders, accountability partners, and hand-holders (at times). I also like your word (MORE) and Sue’s (EVOLVE). It will be fun to see how we all manifest them this year.

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      1. Hi Pat – we’ll all be journeying together into the great unknown of 2019! We can share our achievements at MLSTL!
        Thanks for linking up and I’ve shared on my SM 🙂

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  13. These may be snippets of individual thoughts you’ve had and documented, but they all carry a similar theme of self-discovery. What I’m reading between the lines is that you have been keeping yourself nimble and flexible to adapt to change – whether it was intentional or not – and growing as a result.
    I think ‘journey’ is a great word for you in 2019 🙂

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    1. Joanne, Interesting your point about Self-discovery – thanks for pointing that out! I do believe that I am continuing to figure out who the authentic Pat is. Thanks also for thinking I’m nimble and flexible…. I used to be considered adverse to change (when working). Maybe the real me is a little bit more flexible!

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    1. Janet, My 2019 goal is 101 New and/or Fun Things. I added fun in so I could list things I’m repeating that are really enjoyable… like Beach Yoga while we are here in Florida! Or another Food Tour in St Pete. I will still look for new things as well…it will be interesting to see what the ratio is between new and repeated fun.

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  15. I love the idea of the snippets or thought starters. I’m not doing a word this year, but I am liking yours. As for the bucket list question? I’m all for taking it out of the bucket and leaving it out – where appropriate. We’re planning a UK trip for next Christmas & because hubby is Scottish & has always wanted to have Hogmanay (NYE) in Scotland I’ve suggested Edinburgh for the new year. He’s finding every reason why that will be difficult. I’ve finally said: your bucket list item – your choice as to whether we do it now or forever hold your peace. Watch this space.

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    1. Jo, Hubby has no bucket lists. He just rolls his eyes at all of my lists. It’s hard to let go of the Northern Lights one. I think I might leave it on the “possibilities” and then if the opportunity comes up, I’ll take advantage. But not actively pursue …or at least not in the near future. BTW, I think Edinburgh for the new year sounds amazing!

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      1. My hubby has 3 things on his – see the Northern lights, do a Cunard cruise out of Southampton, and hogmanay in Scotland. He is, however, leaving it up to me as to when we do his bucket list – and to organise it too. Sigh.

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  16. Hi, Pat – What an awesome idea to share thoughts that you had recorded but not made into full blog posts. They are very revealing and incredibly thought-provoking. I feel like I have just had a very meaningful coffee chat with you IRL. Thank you for sharing these with us.

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