In Europe they call New Year’s Eve “Sylvester,” and at midnight people come out of the bars and throw up fireworks. A wild time I experienced in my 20s. Now, my wild ride on New Year’s Eve is quieter. I usually stay home, sit at my computer, write out my goals for the next year as well as write down what success looks like for me, trying not to be influenced by what others think it should be. I usually drink a glass or two of champagne. This year it will be a glass of prosecco (courtesy of my sister Karen) to toast my successes and failures and hold onto my hopes and dreams for the future. I also go to bed early.
Although the road to hell might be paved with good intentions, I continue to persevere in my quest to reach my goals for next year: practicing delayed gratification, disciplining myself into a regular writing routine since I am no longer working to sell annuities, finishing my work-in-progress, celebrating the headway I’ve made so far in writing projects, walking Koda at least twice a day, doing chair yoga, logging my exercise and food intake in a fitness journal, trying to get more sleep (Koda wakes me up at 4:00 a.m. each day), and spending time connecting with new and old friends as well as family.
Someone once wisely said,“You never fail unless you stop trying.”
What I’m most grateful for this past year: more time to do the things I want, good health, clean water, clean air, enough money to pay my bills, the unconditional love I get from Koda, my renewed friendship with an old boyfriend who never ceases to surprise me, naps without guilt, meaningful conversations, home-cooked meals, a good night’s sleep, 60 Minutes, well-written spy thrillers, the ability to travel, continued friendships with writer friends, new and old, daily contact with a sister, people I love and people who love me back.
My WIP is rolling right along. Since I am fashioning this new spy thriller after Casablanca (which is now in the public domain), I watched the movie several times lately and also brainstormed my revised plot with a couple of friends and now feel motivated to continue plugging away. I hope to finish it within this next year.
You might be asking, “Did she get a major publisher for The Spy from Beijing?” Not yet. My literary agent is still working on it. Remember, delayed gratification. Stay tuned.
If you’ve already read my memoir, Spies, Lies & Psychosis, please consider leaving a review here: https://a.co/d/duv4ZI0
Until next time…