Dear Me (2008)

Dear Me,

         It sounds strange referring to you (or me) this way, doesn't it? So, let's get the Me, Myself, and I vs. You and Yours confusion out of the way right up front. After much debate with myself (and/or yourself!), it has been decided to use "You" through this letter and avoid any references to "Me." However, whether this works or is changed a million times during drafting, well that's to be seen.

         Last year didn't take the path you thought it would and it was just about as far from easy as one could get, but it was a very informative and productive year. You wrote more, you took care of most of your bills, you moved (again!), you accepted a wonderful job, you learned about yourself, you made friends, you traveled the country seeing Ani DiFranco, you won some contests, you started and completed the process to get Disability, you accepted help even when it was scary to do so, you started going to school to become a sign language interpreter, you created a group for adults on the autism spectrum... and that's just what was remembered these last five minutes (and in future revisions of this letter)!

         This year, a plan similar to one put into place at the beginning of 2007 will be employed. However, goals will all be more immediate this year. You do much better when a goal seems attainable... and these goals can (and hopefully will!) grow as you do. Even so, the "big picture" will be kept in mind. Goals beyond the immediate will be set in place... but just for reference, so you can remember where we're headed and why some things may be listed currently.

         Without further ado, let's get at it:

Key To Colors:
Health-Related Goals
Reading-, and Writing-, and Writing.Com-Related Goals
Money-Related Goals
Other Goals


Current Goals:
Take a bottle of water with every time you leave the house for more than an hour.
Target Date: Daily by February 9th
Heading Towards: Drink 8 glasses of water a day.
Reward: Peppermint Hot Chocolate after 3 successful days

Write one creative piece that is not for a class.
Target Date: February 29
Heading Towards: Write one piece a month, Enter one contest a month, Submit items for publication
Reward: a CD

Finish reading one book that is not for a class.
Target Date: February 29
Heading Towards: Read one book a month, Join a book club (or create one on Writing.Com!)
Reward: Utilize BookCrossing

Review 1 piece a week.
Target Date: February 16
Heading Towards: Review 7 items a week, Run a contest every other month or more frequently
Reward: Gift Points

Play with Pompeii and Stones more frequently
Reward: "kitty therapy", happy cats, companion

Attend class with minimal absences
Target Date: Through The Semester
Heading Towards: Start homework early, Get degree
Reward: Less stress

Add something to the "One Thing I Did Right Today" list 2 times a week.
Target Date: February 9
Heading Towards: Add daily
Reward: Brighter view of myself


Future Goals:
For these, feel free to take steps beyond what you have currently in place, but there is no pressure. It's to come!
Pay all back bills and pay back parents
Find a new location for my group to be held
Find an Occupational Therapist
Write honestly in journal and/or blog two times a week.

Future Rewards:
Join a yoga class