It is September, and everything starts up. My leadership classes, Wednesday night service, and meetings for various ministries, the younger kids in our house are starting school, and the older ones are starting college.  Many things have changed over the years of my life, but when I was six, school began in September, and now that I am 76, school still starts in September. Many things have changed, but September is still the month of “starting.” I enjoy the summer with reduced responsibilities, increased fishing, and enjoyable activities, often with friends and family. But by September, I am getting bored and ready for some meaningful activity. My personal goals go from October to October, so I am getting several new goals set in motion. I have some new challenges, new learning situations, and new experiences planned for this next year, and I look forward to them all. I only wrote 50 goals this year instead of my normal 77 because I will be 77 on October 27th. I don’t know if it is old age or just the number of goals, but 76 was too many for me last year. Instead of motivating me, they demotivated me. I am hoping that 50 is the perfect number for me this year. I have only two B-HAGs this year instead of the usual six. The hardest one is to climb Mt Adams. I have tried three times in the last eight years and have failed to reach the top each time. I want to climb it to the top before I quit. Another is to walk two half-marathons. I am planning one of my own that will start at my house. It will take place November 29th.

How are your goals coming? If you start pursuing them on January 1st, now is a good time to start thinking and writing them. Those who thoughtfully write out their goals and read them regularly will accomplish more than those who do not, learn more than those who do not, and grow more than those who do not. Let me know if you want to climb Mt Adams with me, July 11th. Plan on walking my half-marathon with me November 29th. There you go, two goals.