Happy Monday,
How are you all doing today? How was your weekend? I’d love to hear from you, so shoot me a text or drop me a comment, because when you do, it makes my day.
My weekend was a good one. John came up to the lake and we celebrated my birthday early with some dear friends who have become more like family to us. It was a small group, but beyond special. Then on Sunday, I went to a floatopia here in the lake. Floatopia is just friends hanging out in the water, floating around, having a drink or two, and munching on pizza, watermelon and other yummies. It was a nice weekend and now, I’m heading into my busy week.
Today, I’m heading to San Diego to enjoy a movie night with John’s family. Tomorrow I’ll help Grant get to his orientation, then home again tomorrow night to get ready for my Wednesday sewing evening with my amazing friend Susan, followed by a trip to LAX to pick up my nieces and a swim and lounge day with my bestie Leslie on Thursday. It’s going to be a super busy week. I have to toss in a trip to AAA, and LA Fitness and a little food shopping. I got this though and I’m excited to spend this coming Saturday with John and his family celebrating my actual birthday. I’m officially turning the big 55!!! Holy heck, that number seems so huge, yet, I’m ready to embrace it and see what it brings my way.
As I sit here writing my blog today, the wind is blowing, the wind chimes are playing a tune and families are down at the beach, enjoying the last few days of summer before their little ones head back to school. It’s really an amazing day and I’m beyond grateful for being able to wake up and enjoy it.
This morning on my walk, I was listening to some motivational thoughts and one thing that really made me stop and think was something that was said about setting goals in our lives. Have you ever thought about the word goal? The first two letters spell, GO! I had to stop for a moment and think about that. Goals are wonderful and should be set, but, we have to put them in motion, otherwise, we’ll never reach them.
We all have dreams, some bigger than others, but one thing is for sure, we’ll never have our dreams come true if we just continue in the state of mind of hoping, and dreaming. Funny, I used to think we manifested things in our life by simply, convincing ourselves that we already had them. I still believe that mindset is true to a point, however, I believe more and more, we need to dream and from those dreams, set goals to attain what we want, listen to our creator and make sure that if it’s his will, we can grab hold of those dreams, turn them into goals and work towards them.
What are your goals in life? My Aunt Billie always says, live life with little to no regrets. She is my finest example of someone who set out in her life to be successful. Sure, she was very successful in her career, but more importantly, she was and is beyond successful in her life. She is 98 years young and is as sharp as a tack. Learning was and is her passion, and her life, well, her life is her family. Her grandchildren never forget her. They call her, check in on her, and include her in their lives, even as grown men and women, they include this amazing woman who I get to call “Aunt.”
Aunt Billie has always been my role model. I think of the times I spent with her growing up with the fondest of memories. I only hope my nieces today will look back and have those same fond memories about the times we’ve shared together.
Aunt Billie’s favorite song is, My Way by Frank Sinatra, she played it at her husbands funeral and it will be played at hers as well. She says this song is her families staple song. When you really stop and think about the song, it goes along with goals. You see, when our time here on this earth is done, will we be able to close our eyes and say, “and now the end is here, and so I face that final curtain my friend, I’ll make it clear, I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain. I’ve lived a life that’s full. I’ve traveled each and every highway, and more, much more, I did it my way.”
To live that life that is full looks different for each and everyone of us. The question then must be asked, “have I lived a life that is full?” It is my opinion that if we want to live a life that is full, with little to no regrets, then we need to set goals and stop, just existing. Hoping something will happen. That hasn’t worked out too well for me. Everything I have has included participation on my part. Work on some level.
I was talking with John last night and I was telling him, I’m ready to go after my dreams on a whole new level. As hard is this is for me to say, I’m going to say it anyway. I have something to offer to this world. I’ve been to the depths of hell and back and I’ve suffered more loss in a single year than I care to admit, but that doesn’t define me, what defines me is what I choose to do moving forward. I’m defined by who I am as a person, not by my accomplishments and defeats.
While walking through my neighborhood this morning and while cruising around on my golf cart last night, I had a long talk with God. I asked him for guidance and I told him I’d love to remain in the lake forever. Then, I realized, that might not be his plan for me. So I went back to him in prayer and corrected myself and prayed if it be “your” will, then this will forever be home, and if not, then guide me and show me where you want me to be. In the mean time, I’ll set goals and work on a plan to reach them.
“The tragedy of life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goals to reach.”-Benjamin Mays.
“Regrets, I’ve had a few, but then again, too few to mention. I did what I had to do. I saw it through without exemption. I planned each charted course, each cageful step along the byway, and more, much more, I did it my way.” I’ll do it my way to a point, however, I’ll always ask for my creator to guide me and direct my steps. With God on my side, I know at the end of my life, I can close my eyes, knowing I lived with little to no regret.
Goals are the keys to making our dreams come true. Fluttering through life, hoping and praying means nothing if we don’t put in the work, the effort to see and feel the blood, sweat and tears that give us the appreciation for the gifts this life gives to us. “Yes, there were times I’m sure you knew when I bit off more than I could chew, but through it all, when there was doubt, I ate it up and spit it out, I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way.”
At the end of my life, I want to reflect on what it took for me to grab hold of my dreams and the goals I set to get to my final resting place. I want to stand before my creator and have him smile down on me and say, “you took all the blows, and you did it, my way.”
What goals have you set for yourself today? One goal I had was to get this blog out, and I want to work on my other two blogs and get my podcast up and running again. I also want to get my YouTube channel up and running. I might have limitations right now, but I won’t let those stop me. I’ll simply readjust my goals, jump off the path I was on and get on the path that I need to be on right now.
Well guys, that’s about all I have for you today. Make this a blessed and memorable day and please don’t forget, until next time, Love Life++
Love Life with Dawna 