Today is the last day of my first trimester of “somedays”. I’ve finished four months and it’s time to grade my progress.
Month 1 – Write and publish a non-fiction book in 30 days. Grade: Incomplete
Even though I didn’t finish this project in the time allotted, I’m not going to give myself a failing grade. I am still working on the project and it will get done, so “incomplete” seems a more fitting grade than “fail”.
Month 2 – Begin a meditation practice. Grade: B
I’m meditating almost daily, but most of my meditation practice is now walking meditation. I like walking meditation, but I also think sitting meditation has its benefits. In order to receive an “A” grade I need to work more sitting meditation into my practice.
Month 3 – Begin 1200-mile Club challenge. Grade: A+
The goal is to walk or run 1200 miles this calendar year. I worked that out to 4 miles per day, 6 days per week. As of yesterday I have walked and run 227 miles putting me 27 miles ahead of my goal pace.
Month 4 – Learn Italian. Grade: F
I’m beginning to think there are some “somedays” which should remain a goal for some other day. Or, perhaps, they should be set aside with the realization that it just ain’t gonna happen. Italian may be that type of “someday” for me. I struggled all month and I cannot even count to ten or carry on the simple get-to-know-you conversation I had set as my goal. I’m not going to get rid of the Italian language books and tools I purchased, but I’m not going to say this will be an on-going project, like writing a book. I may pick the books up again at some future date, but I will no longer say, “I’m going to learn Italian someday.”
I think it is a success to take something off your “someday” list – even if you didn’t actually learn Italian – you achieved something significant in freeing your mind by taking it off your list!
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Thanks! I have to admit to a bit of a feeling of guilt, though. I’m not used to giving up on something.
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Good progress and good to know when to let some things go too. Like you’d I’d rather walk and meditate than sit. I get itchy to move,
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Hey Debbie, ben fatto! And if the time is right and you care enough, that someday will eventually show up.
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Thank you! Actually, I just this morning had the realization that just getting started on my Somedays is, itself, a success. Getting started means I’ve researched, I’ve learned, I’ve experimented — all good things! And, I have to admit, Italian is still running around in my mind as something I want to do. I’m lobbying for living in Italy for six months 🙂
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