Sunday, January 2, 2011

New Year, New Dreams...

When I was younger my dreams were simple, I wanted it all.  I wanted to be rich, I wanted to be famous.  I wanted to star on Broadway, win a Tony award and then make my move to Hollywood and films win my first Oscar for a Supporting Role and then my Second for a Leading Role.

I wanted to travel the world.  Paris, Moscow, Sydney, Barcelona, Rio.  When I was young I wanted to be Brian Boitano.  I wanted to win the Lottery, be obscenely rich and never work a day in my life.

My fantasies and dreams of youth were simple... I wanted it all!  My bet is that many of you shared the same dreams (OK, probably not the Brian Boitano part!) Our dreams of youth were usually self-indulgent and not very practical. 

As I grow older I find that my hopes and dreams are not so much about me anymore, not about "things," or fame or money.  My dreams are more complex, my hopes smaller in scope, I venture to guess that my dreams of youth may have been easier to achieve.

My 2011 Wish list of Dreams.....

  1. grace for those I disagree with, to those in need and those who are hurting
  2. to continue loving my job
  3. health and prosperity for those I love
  4. time management skills
  5. continue to reconnect with the people who slipped out of my life through the years
  6. peace of mind
  7. one more family dinner with mama
  8. fit into 32" waist jeans
  9. more time to spend with my friends
  10. a cure for AIDS
  11. for Chelsea and Zack to never suffer and always have a life filled with happiness
  12. play in the snow
  13. learn to scuba dive
  14. dive the Great Barrier Reef
  15. be able to eat pizza and pasta and burgers and fried foods and not gain weight or damage my health
  16. attend the Winter Olympics
  17. walk the Red Carpet at the Oscars
  18. walk down the beach without a shirt and know I look good
  19. play with Lita everyday
  20. our Politicians start concentrating more on what is right for our country and not how they can benefit themselves
  21. buy a new sofa
  22. have something I have written published
  23. Sam and Donna to LOVE the empty nest
  24. continue to be touched, challenged and ministered to by Pastor Kent and Pastor Jen
  25. Georgia Bulldog football to be king again
  26. daddy to have peace of mind
  27. no world suffering
  28. growth in my faith
  29. dedicate an hour each day to writing
  30. no drama
  31. use my elected office for good
  32. be there for my friends and family
  33. lively political debates with my brother
  34. remodel my kitchen
  35. laugh every day
  36. continued financial responsibility
  37. Snookie and the Situation to get a job
  38. economic prosperity return to our country
  39. be there for my family
  40. learn math
  41. enjoy biking
  42. lose 35 pounds
  43. volunteer more
  44. worship in a completed sanctuary at my Church
  45. own a summer home on top of a mountain in Asheville, NC
  46. bipartisanship
  47. paint the interior of my house (OK, have it painted)
  48. study and grow in The Bible
  49. be a dependable friend
  50. inspire
  51. sing on a Broadway stage
  52. the naivete of youth
  53. write the story that is in my head
  54. don't waste a single moment
  55. end every conversation with "I love you"
  56. a backyard pool
  57. go to the movies more
  58. love life
  59. hug at least one person every day
  60. go on another road trip with Aunt Beck
  61. be spontaneous
  62. think before I speak
  63. be a better person today than yesterday and tomorrow than today
  64. swim
  65. restart the Friday afternoon front yard gatherings with my neighbors
  66. challenge myself physically
  67. Simon, Paula and Randy all come back to American Idol as the only judges
  68. eat healthy
  69. be more patient with little stuff
  70. do something I have never done before at least once per month
  71. cook
  72. realize that being right is not always best
  73. trust
  74. celebrate small victories
  75. do a better job of updating my blog
  76. say thank you
  77. an end to war
  78. praise God daily
  79. enjoy life
  80. work hard and play hard
  81. honor the legacy that has been given me by my parents and brother
  82. take weekend trips
  83. children no longer suffer
  84. honor the attempt
  85. go to concerts
  86. get my hands in the dirt more working in my yard
  87. age gracefully
  88. be active in my TAG group
  89. learn to say "no" when I should
  90. be fair
  91. honor the elderly
  92. stand up for what I believe in
  93. write notes and send them in the mail, not just email
  94. get pampered occasionally
  95. don't always do it alone, assign responsibilities and expect them to be completed
  96. hike
  97. talk to daddy every day, talk to Sam at least once a week and talk to Aunt Beck once a week
  98. make others feel special
  99. live my faith
  100. love.
Like I said, the dreams of youth are easier to obtain.  I pray that in 2011 you find happiness, health and prosperity, but most of all I pray you are filled with love.