January 4, 2013 | Inspiration,Writing

I just purchased a new Hoover bag vacuum cleaner. I dislike bagless vacuums. Cleaning the tank is messy. Dirt gets all over the place; then you have to vacuum it up – again. Here’s the symbolism. A new year sweep or vacuum out the old so you have a clean slate to begin with. Actually I saw a Coach purse and I had a coupon for 25% off and had to decide if I needed another purse or should replace my dying vacuum cleaner. I couldn’t clean with the Coach bag. But then I couldn’t carry the Hoover vacuum on my shoulder. So clean house won out.

Last New Year’s Eve, 2011, I sat waiting for the year to end. Each tick of the clock brought me closer to the end of a tumultuous year. I’d survived a 360 degree change in my life. A nightmare that caused me to question my identity, my sanity, my self worth as a woman. I needed 2011 to end to prove I had exited my personal Twilight Zone. In 2012 I found guidance, friendship, love and if truth be told happiness. I found me again. I wasn’t going to go along to get along anymore. I hadn’t seen ME in years. It was great getting reacquainted. I didn’t stand on solid ground by myself. On my Facebook page, December 29th, I gave a major shout out to my team. The women who lifted me up, brushed me off, told me I was beautiful, intelligent, stronger than I thought I was, and they’d be by my side when ever I needed them. There was one man, my son, the quiet one. I know that in his eyes I am more than mother, I am a Queen with super powers. And who am I to correct him?

As 2012 ended each tick of the clock made me giddy, excited, thankful, and prayerful. There were definite, mind numbing challenges in 2012 but I grew stronger, wiser, and confident. I was overjoyed when I heard the fireworks at Navy Pier announce the arrival of 2013. Diana Ross’s song, “I’m Coming Out”, blared on my iPhone. Then I went into 70s’ Disco mode dancing in my bedroom, with a little Annie Lennox thrown in.

I started writing down my goals for 2013 in December. In January I’ll expand my list and then organize them according to personal, professional, physical, spiritual, and financial by the end of February. My Muse reappeared too. She wasn’t in hiding, she was waiting until I could concentrate on writing and had adapted to my new life.

Melody Beattie in her book, ‘The Language of Letting Go’, writes we should make New Year’s goals. “Dig within, and discover what you would like to have happen in your life this year. This helps you do your part. It is an affirmation that you’re interested in fully living life in the year to come.” She says goals give us direction, they give our life direction. She says we should take our time, think about what we want to do, big and little. What problems we’d like to see solved. Decisions we’d would like to make.

I believe if you set a goal, you need a plan on implementation. So after all the holiday parties, food, drink, party, here is my number one goal and what’s I’m doing to succeed.

Health: Making health my number one priority. There’s an old saying, ‘If you don’t have your health you don’t have anything.’ You can’t be an effective writer if you don’t eat right, exercise or take time to enjoy life. Refill the well and refill it often. I’m taking my Weight Watchers program serious. I pay a monthly fee for the online tools so I better use it. Recent improvements in the program have actually made it easier for me to track using my iPhone. I began a Six Months to Sixty Program, to lose weight, be fit. I plan what I’m going to eat each day in the morning, plug in the points and make sure I don’t go too far over. Points for a glass of red wine is always tracked whether I drink it in the evening or not. Doctor Ian Smith has written several books on dieting. There are a multitude of programs available. Pick one that works for you and check with your doctor first. PS this also a good time to schedule a physical. Don’t wait until the end of the year.

Writers sit at their desks for hours and snacking goes with writing. I’m a crunchy, salty snacker. Add chocolate and I’m done. Light popcorn and dill pickles come close to satisfying my potato chip cravings. Exercise should be what you enjoy. I love tennis and I plan on joining a local tennis club for my birthday in May and start playing again. It’s a great mental and physical exercise and stress reliever. I take daily walks because I have a dog and live in an apartment building. It’s great for fresh air, clear the brain, and friendly conversation with other dog owners. I also hula hoop three times a week. The hula hooping was ugly in the beginning and is done behind closed blinds. It seemed so easy when I was growing up. Frack it was easy when I was a child! Another Weight Watchers suggestion for exercise is combining brushing your teeth and performing squats. My electric toothbrush has a two minute time. Done twice a day. Your dentist, your thighs, waist, and posture will thank you.

Make a commitment to get some type of physical exercise. Your writing will improve as will your health.

Next up Sunday: NO MORE MULTITASKING!! How performing multiple acts can slow down your writing. And remember: ‘Honk while driving if you love Jesus, text while driving if you want to meet him.’