NEW YEAR NEW LIFE

NEW YEAR   NEW LIFE

Image of a closing door or window upon the world, and a closing of a year, 2014.  Was reading a blog on thoughts.com, and over the last year or so, people have stopped using this service, for one reason or another.  Until now, I was one of those people, but now here I am.  On the last day of year 2014.  Tomorrow it will be 2015 and I will need to ask myself, “How will this affect me?”  New Year and does this mean I will begin a new life.  Just thinking, and could tell a story along those lines, how the subject came up in the first place.  Will keep this abbreviated and let the title carry my intention:  New Year   New Life.

And the underlying thought happens to be, will making New Year resolutions change anything?  Haven’t been one to make New Year Resolutions, although I have over the years wondered, “What’s New?”  And as each year passes, can add to my list, the achievements of mankind and others, as if I am part of it all, because I am here, part of the human collective.  But that’s another story for another time.  Will try to focus on the title and keep that context in mind.  New Year.  New Life.  What’s up with that?

End of the year 2014 and was having coffee with a 40-year long friend, who I had not seen for a few years.  Just happen to meet.  Talked.  He mentioned that his dad was 93 years old, and would turn 94 in 2015.  I smiled.  Liked his  Dad, and still do.  So it got me thinking, 20 years from this day and I would be 91 years old.  Unthinkable, but the subject came up.  “What have you been doing during the last 20 years.  Lost track of you when you turned 50?”   Being polite and I said, “ Had issues.  Lots of stress.  Dropped out.  Time passes fast, don’t you agree.”  

And he did.  Turns out my friend will be 65 this year.  His children are grown now, age 22 and 24, respectively.  Friend is still working, and so is his wife.  But they made changes that got my attention.  “Sold our house.  Downsized.  Living in a condo now?”  House was on the waterfront and with a nice beach and view.  Raised his family, and now it was time to do something more economically efficient.   Is what the baby boomers are doing now.  Nearing retirement age, and selling the big house.  Kids are on their own.  Time for a significant change.  And that’s what I was left with, after the coffee was gone and I was walking home.  Thinking about the conversation I just had with a long term friend.

New Year.  Does that mean I need to construct a new life and new existence and way of being, just because.  Because its 2015.  Because time doesn’t stand still.  Because what happens if I live another 20 years, and I have no plan and no clue, how life has come and gone.  So the last 20 years were spend in recovery.  Stressed out.  Turned 50 and there was no work, nor job.  Had time on my hands, well deserved.  And I did well.  20 years later and I am healthy, and moving around as if I were age 35.   But we all know, Stoney Blogger is an old dude.  Active, but we know.  Old Dude.  Some things never change, even as there years come and go.  2014 and tomorrow it will be 2015.

End of the year, and things have gone well for me.  Tried out the experiment of snow-birding, going south for the winter and into the sun.  6 months of testing the waters to see if this would work for me.  Turns out it would, but my travel companion is but 55 years old, and it is working out that work is still in the picture, and I should drive around until we meet up, near the Mason-Dixon Line.  So have done some alternative planning, will keep the RV warm and nearby, in case travel companion shows up. 

For now it looks like work and other things are still in play for TC, and that leaves me with the benefit of a place to park and go fishing and is pure luxury for one who has at his center, an urban existence.  So  now splitting time between the lake and the city.  Not cold, but neither is it warm.  But for now, will stay where I am and see how that works out.  The fish are biting and am enjoying the way it is. 

Not sure I can really wrap my head around the idea, New Year means I need to plan a new life.  But then again, what happens if you are blessed with another 20 years of life?  Do you really need a plan.  My last 20 year plan had to do with living and just being.  No work and a lot of play.  And all I know for sure, is that if you stay busy, live stress free and take care of yourself, well then.  New Year.  New Life. 

It is possible.  Apparently.