Annual post on goals

For the last few years, I have chosen words that would be my annual mantra.
2016: Support
2017: Survive
2018: Juggle

2019 has the potential to be a solid stable year for me.  As of this writing, I have no major life changes planned in 2019.  In 2018, we moved from Riyadh, I changed jobs and Sara started a new job.  In 2017, we had Crosby.  In 2016, we moved to Riyadh, I switched jobs, Sara left her job,  and Mom died (all that happened in a fun 3 months).  In 2015, we had Jack and I moved from Frankfurt.  In 2014, I got married.  In 2013, I moved to Frankfurt and got engaged.  It's been a busy half-decade.  My words each of the last three years echo that constant movement and upheaval.

In 2019, Sara and I will both be in steady jobs (presumably).  We won't be moving.  We're not planning any new kids.  I want 2019 to be steeped in that idea of steadiness.  I've contemplated and discarded a number of possible words.

• Run - physical exercise as well as related to political ideas
• Liberate/emancipate - Related to work issues I don't want to discuss on public blog
• Discover
• Light/Lightness - again, weightloss motivated

So, rather than spend 2019 focused on movement, as so much of the past half-dozen years have been, I want to slow down and reflect.  I want to appreciate my job, the opportunity I have in this position to improve people's lives.  I want to immerse myself in my family life - loving my boys and Sara every day, even when they drive me crazy.  I want to focus on the good things that are happening in the world, particularly in my little corner of it.

The word of 2019 will be GRATITUDE.  Here's to being thankful and appreciating the good things in my life and the world.

2019 goals:

• Exercise
• Work out 2+ times/week
• Finish Cherry Blossom 10 miler
• Bike 200 miles (cumulative)
• Lose 2-3 lbs/month (24-36 total lbs).
• Personal
• Attend Church weekly and volunteer with church
• Volunteer with AFS
• Read 6 books
• No TV Tuesday
• Make local friends
• Hang all pictures/art on wall by March 1
• Travel/Entertainment
• Visit 3 new places (city, state, or country)
• Spend 21 days with my Dad and/or Sara's mom
• Go on an adults-only trip with Sara
• Attend two college/pro football games
• Attend two concerts/shows
• Watch at least two sunrises and two sunsets
• Political
• Volunteer for a presidential campaign
• Attend two or more political rallies
• Professional
• Work Goal #1 - not stated on public blog
• Get a top 3 choice assignment during bidding
• Financial
• Pay off student loans
• Pay off credit cards
• Re-build savings