A friend posted this article on Facebook. Articles like this always have an impact on me. Perhaps it was growing up with the vulnerability of having a single, sickly parent. Perhaps it was watching said parent struggle to come into her own – and who sometimes still struggles against the perceived expectations of others.
The first one, the regret about not fulfilling more dreams, resonates the most with me. I’ve been saying for years that I want to set aside more time to do the things I *want* to do instead of just the things I *have* to do. I want fewer weekends that are made up entirely of chores and errands. I want to see more, do more.
The thing is, I have NO EXCUSE. I have no children and the corresponding merry-go-round of soccer games and gymnastics classes and play dates. I have financial resources. What is holding me back?
Even more: what are my dreams? I seem to have gotten so caught up in the daily grind that I can hardly remember dreams. Granted, one dream was to climb Pico. I realized that last year.
I would like to spend a summer in the Azores, hiking every island.
I would like to spend Christmas in Rome.
In fact, I would like to visit every continent. I am missing Australia, South American and Antarctica.
I would like to take up photography again.
So for 2012 I will re-connect with my dreams.