2016 - The Year I Was to Improve

For those just now joining me, this is my annual review of the last year.  At the beginning of each new year, I choose a word theme for the next year that I want to incorporate into my life in all possible ways.  For 2016, I chose the word improve. I'm not sure it was the right word for me this year. I chose it and then never thought about it much. You can say I was a bit side-tracked for 365 days. For the record, I'm finding it harder to stay focused these days. There is a lot going on in my life and the lives of people I care about.
 

THINGS THAT WENT WELL

• TRAVEL  Last year, besides the annual trips we took to the Oregon coast for reunions, we did a lot of Sunday drives. Since discovering Manito Park in Spokane, we've been up there a couple times. Sometimes we'll drive 100 miles to visit a favorite thrift store and take a picnic lunch. These short trips are as wonderful as the longer drives. I like the undivided attention we give each other in the car. My annual girlfriend trip to a Montana hot springs will remain my favorite week of the year. I loved every minute of it and especially soaking in the hot springs pool.  If I were to say my friendships have improved because of trips like this, it would be an understatement.
• PHOTOGRAPHY  I got out a few times with my photo walking buddy and also on my own to improve my skills. Recently, I've been working on a project to organize my thousands of paper photos that I've been storing in tubs. It's time to send some of these photos to people who will really enjoy having them. I've had a camera in my hand since I was 13 years old. Sometimes I feel a great responsibility to make sure events are documented. Through FB, I invited anyone who was willing to sit for photos to short sessions around town. I picked up quite a few new locations. I feel like my skills have improved a bit over the year. I definitely had fun with it. 
• DOG TRAINING  This year, I found a new dog trainer who has helped me with some issues "Remi" is overcoming. Perhaps they are my issues. She is a much better walker and she is riding in the car better. Dogs just want a job.

 THINGS THAT DIDN'T GO WELL
 
• We got lost quite a bit this year. Those kinds of events are happening to us more often. One of us has dropped the ball on checking the map before leaving. Even taking the map seems to be problematic for us. This could improve.
• I completely dropped the ball on minimizing my household items. I'm still buried in stuff that needs to go live somewhere else. A new resolve with this!

Perhaps the word improve wasn't such a bad choice after all. Ideally, what happens with choosing a theme word is that it stays with me. I try to incorporate it into everything I'm doing. Past years words have included minimizing, develop, create, and improve. For 2017, I've chose the word move. I've given it a lot of thought. Recently, a 91 year old volunteer for the local police department is giving up his position. Because of hip problems, he can't move quite as well as he would like. 91 and still moving. Lesson learned. Not only do I want to move more physically, I want to move my ideas into motion. I want to move excess crap from my life. I want to move my dogs. You get the idea.

Do you have a theme word for 2017? What will it be?

 

love, susan