Add Some Music to Your Day

As promised in my first post of this year, this second is about what I hope to accomplish in 2014.  Of course, six weeks into the year, it is way overdue.  But to coin a well-used phrase, “better late than never.”  So here are my hopes for 2014.

1. Music – I played drums in a rock band when I was in college, but these days my drum set is packed in cases in the basement.  A number of years ago, I decided to learn to play the guitar.  During 2013, I barely touched my guitar.  When I was contemplating retirement, I bought a banjo.  My banjo sits in its case collecting dust.  The title of this post is taken from one of my favorite tunes from the Beach Boys’ 1970 Sunflower album.  To quote a line from that song, “Music is in my soul.”  Music has always been an important part of my life.  This year, I plan to add some music to my day as often as I can. 
2. Outside Interests – The thought of spending more time outside is not particularly attractive in the midst of the harshest winter in twenty years.  But I am looking forward to more outdoor activities in 2014.  I enjoy taking walks and love to bicycle, both of which I spent some time doing last year.  But I would like to make the most of the current season and learn once again how to cross country ski.  I’ve done a little cross country in the past and really enjoyed it.  I’d like to find a place nearby that rents cross country ski equipment and spend some time getting back into it.  I also would like to do some fishing this year.  When I was an Indian Princess Dad, I had fun fishing with my daughter.  I would like to start fishing again this year and learn how to clean the fish if I’m skillful or lucky enough to catch some.
3. Writing – I had business cards printed last year to identify myself as a “Writer/Blogger/Editor.”  Though I continue to maintain active status as a lawyer, I really don’t identify as one anymore.  I am a writer and that should be my primary activity.  I need to write to entertain, to challenge, and to change the world.  I have a folder full of ideas that I never found time to open in 2013.  I want to try to publish my children’s story, “Anna Breaks a Stick.”  I want to write more op-ed pieces and offer them for publication.  I plan to take an intensive writing course in 2014.  By the end of the year, I hope people can begin to think of me as a writer rather than as a retired lawyer.  For that to happen, I need to find more time to write.
4. Hobbies – Many years ago I enjoyed several hobbies that involved making things.  I made beer, wine and did a little bit of simple carpentry.  I’d like to find the time to take up those hobbies again.  I have about ten gallons of wine aging in my basement that needs to be bottled.  I have two cans of malt collecting dust that I need to make into four cases of beer.  I have several little woodworking projects sitting in a bin in my workshop.  I hope this is the year that I can make time to create something real and enjoyable from the work of my hands. 
5.  Estate Management – I am the lord of my manor.  With that title comes much responsibility.  Rooms need to be painted, plaster needs to be repaired, and artwork needs to be hung in the appropriate places.  In addition, floors need to be washed, grass needs to be mowed, and carpets must be swept.  Either I need to find time to exercise these responsibilities with my own hands or hire contractors to do the work.  Otherwise, the castle will start to fall down around my head.  Where are the servants when you need them?
6.  Reading – I love to read.  Last year, I read fifteen books.  Every writer needs to be a voracious reader.  I am currently reading my third book of 2014 and plan to match or exceed last year’s count.
7.  More of the Same – Finally, I looked over my list of 2013 accomplishments and realized that I will continue to do most of that stuff during 2014 as well.  So where will I find the time to do everything else?  Taking a page from the corporate playbook that I studied for those many years as a corporate lawyer, I know the answer is not to work harder, but to work smarter, right?  Yeah, right. 

So how much of what’s on my list will actually happen in 2014?  Ultimately, that will depend on me.  Each day choices confront me.  I can choose to watch reality TV or I can read a book.  I can practice my guitar, or I can spend that hour checking Facebook.  Like most people, I won’t always make the best choice, but at least by setting down my hopes for the year, I have created some guideposts to remind me how I’d like to be spending my time.  And at my age, time becomes more and more precious.  I can’t count on being able to publish a story in five years, because I know many people in their early sixties don’t make it to their late sixties.  So a year from now, I will measure how I did – how I used this precious commodity – and I will consider whether I added enough music to my day.