Embracing the Unknown

Jan 02 2012 Published by under Dreams & Goals, Life & Times

After I pressed the “Send” button on my last post of 2011, I turned my mind toward 2012. I purposely left any intentions for 2012 out of my 2011 Wrap Up, because I wanted to simply bask in the glory of a wonderful year without placing expectations on the future.  With my post out of the way, I allowed myself to wonder what I want to accomplish in 2012.

My brain began to work up new routines: for writing, working out, how to eat healthier… You know, the standard New Year’s Eve fair. This train of thought exhausted me in twenty minutes. I felt defeated about 2012 before I could even get to December 31st, 2011.

I took a couple of deep breaths and cleared the space between my ears. Let’s try this again. With the coming of a new year comes the desire to make things new. My 2011, however, was amazing. Without routines or lists or benchmarks, I had the best year of my adult life. I replaced every “goal” my brain tried to work up with a question mark.

?

I stared at it a moment. A question mark. While I stopped making resolutions a few years ago, I’ve never gone into a new year without some idea or benchmark in mind. Would it be irresponsible of me to go tipsy two-stepping into 2012 sans any plans or goals? My goodness, without any listed goals, I could end up anywhere by the end of 2012.

I could end up anywhere. 

I could end up anywhere? 

I could end up…ANYWHERE?! 

There it was again: the frightening and liberating idea that my life is my own to live as I see fit. My mind stopped spinning. My shoulders relaxed from their hunched-up state. I exhaled.

It’s not like I’m going to get pregnant or let some man empty my bank account or end up living on the street. I trust myself. The Universe is Divinely Ordered. Life could surprise me with something bigger and better than I can imagine. 

Maybe I’ll meet my next great love. Or my next great lay. Perhaps I’ll be moved to start a novel, or the non-fiction workshop I take this semester will lay the ground work for my memoir. Maybe I’ll lay up and spend another year watching great television. Maybe I’ll eat too much bread and drink too much wine. Maybe I’ll live and learn, maybe I’ll crash and burn. No matter what, I’ll be okay.

So I walk into 2012 cloaked in The Unknown.  Can’t wait to see what The Universe has in store.

2 responses so far

  • Christian Reed

    I am with you on not setting goals.  I’ve never liked a new years resolution, they all seem cliche, as you said.  Instead I like to keep things moving and make sure that I work harder than the year before.  Everyone “wants” to do what they can, but not everyone understands that every thing that happens to you is not in your power to control…it’s all in the way you see yourself, your situation, your results …and then you can better grasp the “anything can happen” mantra .. and realize that “ending up anywhere” is always going to be a glass half-full situation.  Great post. (@darealchrisreed)

  • http://www.mindchangingmoney.com/ David Hutcherson

    I implore everyone to make 2012 the best year ever and to
    remove the rearview mirror from your car of life. Just like it doesn’t make
    sense that if you want to move forward when driving that you look in your
    rearview mirror therefore you shouldn’t do that for your life. Dr. Wayne Dyer
    once said that you cannot find yourself moving ahead by hanging on to what you
    used to be. Every second is a new moment in your life to make the shift to
    happiness and greatness. You have greatness in you and don’t let your past hold
    you back from it. Commit right now to
    making this year the best year ever!