2019 Here We Come—Big Plans for a Bigger and Better Year

I’ve lived enough of them to know that some years are more challenging than others, even when they are successful. 2018 had only a few goals achieved. Various obstacles (mostly health) obstructed other objectives. More on that below. 2018’s off year won’t stop me from making and achieving some very ambitious determinations for 2019. I will try again to make resolutions to succeed—more on that below as well.

Before I let you in on some highlights for 2019, I want to thank those fellow writers and bloggers who steadfastly followed and commented on posts here, despite some lack of reciprocity on my part. That, by the way, is one of the major goals for 2019–connecting more with all of you in that group and supporting your own efforts.

Some  of my 2019 Determinations:

• Writing, blogging and social media
  • Follow and interact with more writers/bloggers
  • Make the most of Goodreads (see below about Google+ and Facebook)
  • Publish the 2^nd collection of short stories in late 2019
  • Work diligently on a novel to come out late fall, 2020
  • See more on future writing goals here
• Travel
  • Puerto Vallarta for a few days
  • Canada for a few weeks, with our dog—with some distraction free writing time
  • Florida for a few days in December to the FNCC
• Maintain my weight loss and keep muscles in tone

2018 Challenges:

Mental fatigue impacted my writing—a CPAP machine helped but didn’t clear it up completely while doctors have no clue. A one-off cardiac event interrupted my writing agenda as well as other goals. After much testing—no invasive procedures were done. No new drugs and no changes in exercise were needed either. As the Simple Minds song goes, I am “alive and kicking.” I plan on staying that way for years to come. I’ve done as Ikeda urged and didn’t give up.

Goals met include:

• 29 books read (surpassing a goal of 24)
• A decoratively curved patio/walkway for enjoying the view from our hilltop home in sunny New Mexico
• Completing a two-year weight loss goal, 80 pounds off—I am not even overweight.

Goals unmet:

• Didn’t expand my networking with fellow writers/bloggers and others
• Didn’t join Facebook (not sure now if I still want to), expand use of Goodreads or the dying Google+
• Took no vacation and didn’t publish that book by the same name (The Vacation)

If I couldn’t conquer those obstacles in 2018, how can I win in 2019—with much more ambitious goals? Nichiren Daishonin, founder of the Buddhism I have practiced for 41 years, says

“Employ the strategy of the Lotus Sutra before any other.”

By this he means use the practice first, not last. When medical treatment doesn’t cure a problem, then practicing one’s faith is a rational choice. Once I made a stronger, more focused prayer to be clear headed, the brain responded with focused energy much more of the time.

My wife and I have achieved too many goals (that some might say were impossible) to list them here. You can find many of them in Waiting for Westmoreland. My recent reminder about the tired mind confirms that I can achieve victory in 2019.

Whether you find Buddhism or any other faith a means for achieving success, having a clear process for accomplishing goals is essential. We’ve put these steps out in prior New Year’s posts, but here they are again.

Making Your Resolutions Come True

• Don’t call them resolutions–call them determinations
• Make an action plan to attain or achieve them
• Execute the plan
• Monitor your progress
• Forgive yourself for occasional shortfalls
• Never give up
• Reinforce your confidence with recollections of past victories