Joyous Serendipity

There are only a few days left in this decade.  Looking back to 2009, it all seems so long ago.   Google came up with several noteworthy happenings in 2009.  Barack Obama, the first Black president was inaugurated in January.  In June,  Michael Jackson died.  In January, US Airways Flt 1549 landed on the Hudson River and all passengers and crew survived.  Top song that year was I Gotta Feeling by The Black Eyed Peas, movie hits were Avatar, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.  Sadly, I only watched Avatar.  Price per gallon of gas was $2.40.  Mmm, not much has changed since then.   The New York Yankees won the World Series and the Pittsburg Steelers were Super Bowl Champs.

In the summer of 2009, I went home to attend our high school reunion.  In February, Sanlahi became a Not-For-Profit organization and we presented our first backpacks to a school in Enrile, Cagayan.  Erin was in her sophomore year at the University of Florida.  Megan was in 7th grade at Hoover Middle School.

Fast forward 10 years, our family has seen so many changes.  Significant of all, I am no longer teaching in the classroom.  I now teach online.  We have become empty nesters after Megan left for college.  Our family has grown with the marriage of Megan to Donald and the arrival of their two sons.  These two events made us grandparents now, too.  We will soon add another member to the clan when Erin marries Howard in June. Oh what a difference a decade makes.

As 2019 is year is drawing close, a lot of us are thinking about our New Year’s resolutions.  I always wonder how many keep their resolutions past the first month of the new year.  This is why I thought I’d skip the New Year’s resolution bit and start a new challenge for the year instead.

I think  setting up a challenge is a greater motivator to work toward accomplishing something.

Here is our 2020 challenge:   “Run 20 races in 2020”.

When we were just started running, I did a similar challenge in 2013.  I set a goal of running 13 races in 2013 and I met my goal that year.  Read the race recaps on all 13 races here.

Just like in 2013, any distance will count.  We already have 3 half-marathons signed up for.  I say we because Ralph also accepted to do the challenge with me.  I am already getting excited.

How about you?  Would you like to join in?  

Here are some suggestions for your 2020 challenge:

Lose 20 pounds in 2020

Learn 20 New Recipes 

Visit 20 New Places

Learn to Speak 20 New Foreign Words

Read 20 NonFiction Books

Read 20 Fiction Books

Eliminate 20 things in Your Diet

Add 20 Things in Your Diet

Eat at 20 New Restaurants

Watch 20 New Movies

Visit 20 local or national parks

Visit 20 breweries

Attend Mass in 20 Different Churches

What do you think?  Are you up for the challenge? If you are, make sure to write it down and tell other people. This will keep you accountable and help you to meet your goal. Don’t procrastinate.  Just do it.  Challenges are inherently difficult so expect to have instances of discouragement or laziness.  Don’t give in.  Keep forging along.  This is why letting people know you are doing the challenge is key.

Share in the comments below if you are joining in the challenge.  What you have set your eyes on to accomplish in 2020?

XOXO,

Joy