I've spent the last nine days trying to figure out what goals I want to set for myself in 2012. Okay. Let's be honest, it's really only been 8 days. January 1st I really just slept a lot, and when I wasn't sleeping I was either thinking about eating a cheeseburger and fries or actually eating a cheeseburger and fries.
I don't typically set resolutions, but like most people see the turning of the new year as a fresh start and like to set some goals for the coming year. Well, I'm struggling. I've started this post several times. One post included things like "watch the Star Wars movies" since I've never seen them. (I know, I know...it's an outrage.) Another included "run Robie", which for you non-Boiseans, is a 1/2 marathon from hell. It's seriously been labeled "The toughest half-marathon in the Northwest" because the first 8 miles are UPHILL. Like running 8 miles isn't bad enough. Every year I think about doing it because for some reason it's like a rite of passage for all people who run and live in Boise. And, I decided not to set that as a goal because I seriously might just decide not to be a runner anymore to avoid that race. Or, I might buck up and do it. But I clearly am not ready to commit.
But...today I figured out why I've struggled to make that list. In the grand scheme of things, those things don't matter. Who really cares if I lose 10 pounds? Don't get me wrong, I'd totally be stoked if I did. But that's not the point. It doesn't matter. It doesn't benefit anyone else in this world if I lose weight or workout more or run Robie or don't buy any new clothes (another thought I had) or watch Star Wars, or, or, or or....none of those things matter.
There have been a series of events over the last few weeks that have me really wanting to do something that matters. I look around at the people that I come across and there are so many people doing amazing things for other people. every. single. day.
The teachers who teach our children day in and day out and spend more time with them than we do. They don't just teach them to read, write, add and subtract. They also do our job for us when we aren't there. They provide hugs when needed, they discipline when needed, teach manners, teach sharing, provide praise and build confidence, make sure they're fed and they do this for 25-30+ kids each and every day. Do most of them know the impact that they've had on their students? Probably not. (Julia...thank you for your touching post on Coach Jones). And...in our state, they all received a paycut last year. But they do it because it matters.
The hospice people who come and spend time with my dad every week and provide him care. It is such a huge help for my mom and eases all of our minds that someone is constantly checking on his medical condition. Do they have any idea of how much my family appreciates them and what they do? Probably not. Do they get paid much? Probably not. But they do it because it matters.
The nurses who provide care and keep parents encouraged when our babies are sick, when our parents are sick and when our friends are bringing new lives into the world. They do things that no one wants to do...draw blood, change dressings, deal with more bodily fluids than I care to even know about. How often are they told how much they are appreciated? Probably not enough. But they do it because it matters.
One of my favorite bloggers, started a social media frenzy to bring light to to the lives of women who are struggling across the country. It's such a simple thing...bringing women together through a piece of clothing. Is she making money off of it? No. She knows she has a captive audience and she did it because it matters.
Pastor Mark, at Eastwind Community Church, has had more of an impact in my life then he will ever know. I swear that many of his sermons must have been written specifically for me and have brought me to tears countless times. But I know that's not the case. I also know that people sit in his congregation every Sunday and have that same thought. Does every person who he impacts tell him? I doubt it...I know that I haven't. Does he do it for the recognition? Absolutely not. He does it because it matters.
Every day, we all benefit from the people in, and outside of, our lives who do the things that matter. These examples are all based on what people do in their day to day jobs, but there is so much that can be done even without making a career change. What that is, I'm not sure yet. But, I do know that in 2012, my solitary goal is that I'm going to figure it out and I'm going to do something that matters.
