Monday, December 31, 2012

A Purpose Filled Life






I was certain when I was eleven years old I knew exactly how my life was going to be when I grew up.  I was crazy about animals at the time and just knew I wanted to be a veterinarian. Stray critters wandered into my home and stayed for a while.  Over the course of the years I managed to gather two dogs, a few cats, a pigeon, a few rabbits, some quail, turtles, tropical fish and an odd hamster or two...of course not all at the same time.  But as the song goes, "life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans"...

No, I never got around to following that dream but there were other adventures waiting to take it's place.  I enjoyed a variety of jobs from retail to insurance to radio advertising.  I spent time living down south as well as out west and a few towns in between.  I've climbed a mountain and stood inside a volcano.  I've even gotten married (and divorced) and had a child I'm proud to call my son.  It's pretty obvious, even to me, that I have had an interesting life and yet I still think the best is yet to come.

I moved to this town twenty years ago and twelve years ago I devoted my life to martial arts.  I was in a really bad spot in my life at the time and it was my lifeline back from the spiritually dead.  I poured my energy into TaeKwonDo when I didn't have the energy to exist anywhere else.  I had a purpose and I have tried to repay my Master Instructor over the years for literally saving my life as he did.  

Prior to two years ago I never would have guessed I would return to my writing roots.  Such a dream would have been as foreign to me as trying to roller skate (and if you knew me better, you would KNOW what an impossibility THAT is...;~)

But again, life happened when I was busy making other plans, and I have discovered another purpose for my existence.  There was a time when I thought there could only be one great passion at a time in a person's life but this past year has proven that theory wrong.  Not only did I manage to achieve my goal of reaching Fourth Degree Black Belt at my school (and the highest ranking female in our organization, not counting one of the school owners), but I rekindled my passion for writing and oh, what a year it has been!

Now, when I am about to say goodbye to 2012,  I make plans to greet the new year...full of excitement and full of purpose.  I can only hope that through both my martial arts and my writing I get a chance to bring a little inspiration to someone else who might be searching for the purpose in their own lives....

How about you?

Is the new year going to be one of grand adventures and surprising events?  Have you made a list, like I have, of the goals you would like to accomplish in 2013? When you look back on this past year, do you see a life filled with purpose or just some dull existence?  If you're a writer then I can already answer that question for you.  As Willy Wonka would say..."we are the music makers and we are the dreamers of dreams"

Let us all dream up a FABULOUS new year...













14 comments:

  1. May I quote Dr. Frankenfurter? "Don't see it, BE it." I will.

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    1. Hi Janet! Wise words...especially coming from a doctor...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  2. Such a lovely post. A wonderful way to usher out the year. Hope and an open heart are the perfect way to welcome 2013. Have a happy, healthy, and productive new year!

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    1. Hi Genevieve! Thank you for your kind words and if I can only catch up to how successful YOU have been this past year, I will be one happy camper...:~)

      Thank for stopping by and come back any time!

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  3. Oh this is beautifully written, Donna. Thank you for sharing this with us. A New York Best Selling New Year!

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    1. Hi Pam! Your comment made me smile...from your lips to an agent's ears...lol...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  4. Hi, Donna! I did a blog post about my goals for the year. May 2013 be a fabulous year for you.

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    1. Hi Suzanne and the same to you as well.

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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    1. Hi Erik...Happy New Year to you!

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  6. Happy New Year Donna! And can I just second Pam's sentiment, a stellar New York Times Best Seller.....lol. You and me both are going places this year, my friend!

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    1. Hi Diane! Hey, I'll do you one better...we both write a best seller, you come to the states and we go on a book signing tour together...;-)

      We can always dream...lol...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  7. Hi Donna .. sounds like your heart and head are in the right place for a great year ahead .. good luck and enjoy - cheers Hilary

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    1. Hi Hilary! Lol...I sure hope so...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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