#summergoalz

On the trail my new friend asked me, “What are your goals for the Summer?” At the time I was both aghast at the tone shift from benign mom chatter to what for me felt like an uncomfortably penetrating query. Also, my grandiose inner rebel was like, “Goals? Oh sweet child, there are no goals. I run a strict, spiritually-driven one day at a time type lifestyle and anything else is for beginners in this life game.”

But, inevitably perhaps, I realize I do have some goals. And it’s not too toxic to have reasonable, move-in-this-direction type goals. I can roll with that without becoming an all-or-nothing goal-obsessed monster who disregards everyone and everything including my own mental and physical cues to slow down in pursuit of That Thing.

That’s the fear, and it has some past objective evidence to justify it. BUT past performance is NOT a predictor of future performance. Today I get to say, “Self, what really matters to you for this Summer, for this life, and how do you want to feel?”

And for me, that’s the big goal for this Summer. I want to feel proud of how I conducted myself in my various roles. I’d like to spend the time I have wisely with the right balance of activities and rest - the right balance of treats for my mind, body, soul. And to the extent I’m the curator/scheduler of my son’s life I’d like for him to have all that too, in the right balance for him as he is today. Enough challenge, leisure, social, and rest. Plus fun. So I’m going to be my own good parent this Summer by giving myself what I want for my kid. Enough kind support to grow, enough loving connection and nurturing to thrive. I’m gonna keep going.