Goals

I have always been a goal setter.  An improvement measurer.  A climber.

Often, I think "ok... "where" was I last year at this time.  Of course, I do not refer only to my physical where, but also my financial where.  My professional "where".  My "where" as a mother.  My "where" in love.  My "where" in achieving my life goals.

I was asked to reflect on "Where" I want to be in 5 years- and then 10.  I can not just answer that in a sentence, this is a question that deserves some real thought... so that is what I plan to do here.



In 5 years, I have some goals- I would like to be nearly finished paying off my student loans.  Those things are like a financial prison, and while, yes, I am extremely grateful I decided to put myself through school, paying for a private education at a women's college, then going through Graduate School was much more expensive than my 18 year old mind could comprehend.  I do not want "free college." I paid for my college- I *am* still paying for it dearly.  I really look forward to that debt being in my past.




I also hope to have no car payment, but a mortgage would be fine.  I plan to keep my philosophy of no credit cards or any sort.  That has been a wise decision for me.

Speaking of mortgage, I want to own a home.  I want my name on a deed.



Professionally is very hazy for me right now.  I miss teaching.  I love research science.  I also want something that makes more money for me.  I hope to have that all sorted out 5 years from now.  In 5 years, I want to be making my target salary.  How that will shape up, I am just not sure right now.



I hope to take vacations every year to a new place.  I hope to lead a conference now and then, and I hope to teach a course every semester.

I hope to see the ocean once every year.




I hope to still be involved with my daughter, and her life.  I hope to never stop calling/texting/sending her packages regularly.



I hope to continue to be involved daily, with my son in his education, and yes... I want to still be his favorite person when he is 12.  I also want to continue the rock star job his dad and I are doing as co-parents.  I want to provide well for him so that he knows he is well loved, well taken care of, and that he has all he needs and some of what he wants as well.  I want him to go to bed peaceful and not stressed out.  I want him to know he is loved, his mom is loved, and that life as an adult will be good.



I hope to love and be loved fiercely- the stuff of legends.  I hope to feel as lucky on day 100000 as I did on day 1 of realizing that it was love for us.



I hope to work through hard things, stop my tendency to alienate when I feel threatened.

I hope to need less attention and reassurance.

I hope to give with no expectation of a return.

I hope to have friends with whom I do things regularly.

I want to still get dressed pretty for date night.  I want to look for clothing that flatters my body.  I want to shop for lingerie with the care and deliberate attention that I enjoy giving that task.

I hope to sing more songs out loud.

I hope to learn to play an instrument.





My ten year goals are the same, except I will be making room for Asher to love others more than me.  I will likely be involved with grandchildren, who I will spoil, spoil. spoil.

I will also have no student loan debt, and hopefully own my home outright.

I hope to photograph thousands of people.  I will have silver in my hair, and laugh lines on my face.  I will wake up grateful for the morning and the chance to do and be every day.  I will celebrate my predictable and love-filled life.

I will build up and support those around me.  I will tell them I love them and why.

I will look for beautiful things to fill my soul.

I will think of watching the sunset hand in hand, to get me through hard times.

I will remember the grace of mothers who smile through the cancer of her child.

I will think of my friends who are the most incredible people on this earth.

I will read of new discoveries and still share them with excitement in my voice.

I will make little kids smile and teenagers laugh.

I will stop to notice those around me.

I will engage with my world and never give up on my dreams.


For my goals, it is ESSENTIAL to have with me a partner willing to help me accomplish these dreams and goals, and in me, he will find an equally supportive partner.  It is my hope to accomplish these things together.