A “New” Resolution

I’ve spent a lot of time online this past week, watching post after post pop up on my news feed with lists of New Years Resolutions. Some are inspiring, some are rather intimidating, and some are, quite frankly, boring. I looked at my own list from last year and realized that while I’d made some progress towards my goals, I had failed to satisfy nearly all.

But instead of being frustrated by this fact, I feel rather pleased. No, I didn’t stick to my ambitious plans. I failed— failed rather hard, in that regard. But it doesn’t feel like failure.

How can I feel like I have failed, when I’ve spent the last three months of my life in Argentina?

Last year, my goals were limited to things like running a race and reading more books. Instead, I was able to accomplish the lofty goal of funding my own six-month adventure. I am proud of this. Proud of the hard work, planning, and guts that went into making this leap.

So, I think I’m going to start a new tradition. Instead of writing about things I want to accomplish in the New Year, I want to end the year with accomplishments I am proud of from the previous year. I want to list off achievements that I had not even conceived of last January 1. My only goal for the future will be to make that list longer and more interesting with each passing year.

1. Successfully financed and planned a six-month stint in Argentina. This was big. Both saving the money and planning how far that money would go. After 3 months, I can say we are honestly under budget— and haven’t skimped on any of the experiences.

   

2. Created a diversified investment portfolio. This is one of the biggest reasons I felt I could take the Argentina leap. I had a fully diversified portfolio that I could manage while I was away (and didn’t have to dip into for the trip).

   

3. Beat my dad and boyfriend in Fantasy Football. What’s up.
   
4. Played the best-of-the-best golf courses in Los Angeles: Riviera, Los Angeles Country Club, Lakeside, and Bel Air Country Club. Just don’t ask me what I shot…
   
   

   With the famous, Victoria Morgan at Riviera CC

   

   The beautiful Bel Air Country Club
5. Went to a Major. Another golf experience for the record books— I got to go to the PGA Championship at Whistling Straights with my parents. I decided I had better use my PGA privileges while I still had them!

   

6. Coached the League-winning Junior Team at Annandale. For the first time ever, our team won the League Championship. It was pretty exciting for everyone involved.

   

7. Started the p90x workout. 4 times. The first few times weren’t the charm. But I am getting in progressively better shape!

   

8. Went to a Parkour/Freerunning facility and attempted some of the maneuvers. Definitely not something I would have ever thought to accomplish. Which is exactly why it deserves to be on this list.

   

9. Participated in the Children’s Heart Foundation’s annual “Walk with the Heart of a Child”. My friend Jaci had a heart transplant when she was 8-years old. It was so awesome to support her in the fundraiser and see thousands of people turn out for the festivities.
   
10. Survived a Zombie encounter. This was a pretty memorable accomplishment. #Uh-oh.
    
    

    We had to have “Apocalyptic Names”

    
    
    Bonus: I had the great pleasure of playing golf with some really cool people, including Piers Morgan and Jonathan Banks (aka “Mike” from Breaking Bad).

    

So here’s to the New Year! May yours be filled with new experiences, exciting encounters, and unexpected accomplishments.

Lots of Love,

Debby Bee

P.S. I would love to hear about the interesting things YOU accomplished this year. Leave your list in the comments section 🙂