A year of my life is over. A year that many people consider significant, 40. I’m not sure I accomplished what I hoped. I’m actually not sure what I hoped. I was happy with some things, not happy with other things. Maybe I step into 41 with just trying to be more aware. Even if it’s being more aware of the things I wasn’t so happy with.

I was happy to finish this year with a run. That’s how I started this year, as I vividly remember thinking it’d be a good idea to have the first thing that I did in this decade would be running. Unfortunately last October 1st there was pouring, cold rain. It didn’t stop me, and the frigid feeling gave me a bigger sense of accomplishment than I would have normally felt. I am glad there wasn’t rain to deal with as I exited this year of my life.

I found a new band today while at work. Driftwood. I am now a fan of this Americana/Folk-Rock group. A song of their’s was so fitting during my jog, “The Sun’s Going Down.” They formed in upstate New York in 2005. I have never been to upstate New York, but it always sounds so picturesque to me. I’ve never actually been to any of New York, so that needs to be added to my To-Do list.

Cheers to myself on making it through another year, and cheers to myself for the next year to be better in some capacity. I will make an effort to make an effort. My primary goal will be to have more happy things than the last year. Seems like a simple and reasonable goal.