Consume less. Save some. Give more. This is my mantra for 2010. My very own happiness project.
- Consume less. The basic rules are out for this in my 12 Things post. Pretty straightforward- buy less stuff.
- Save some. This, too, is pretty simple. I'm a 40 year old, single woman. I need to save more. I don't have a spouse, partner or live-in-boyfriend to share expenses with; I don't have any kids that will grow up to take care of me; I am pretty much on my own. So limiting what I spend and saving money is just common sense. That said, this is the first time in my life that I've actually paid any attention to this advice; so, we'll see how we go.
- Give more. This is the hard one. Not only do I mean "donating" when I use give but I also want to give more of myself this coming year, and the years ahead. Dedicate more time to my friendships, my family. Give more of myself to work that is meaningful, making an impact. This is the one that is a true recalibration of life; this is the one that will force me to look not only at myself but at the world I've built around me. And, hopefully, lead me to the next stage, the next adventure.
As hard as this feels at the moment (oh, the pleasure I took in ordering one last item online), I know that it possible to kick-start one's life at 20, 30, 40 or, even 80. A few years ago, I met an amazing woman who didn't go back to finish her undergraduate degree until all of her children were adults. She was over 40, got her BA, then a Masters, then a law degree, and, until she retired a few years ago, was the Chancellor of a major university. Talk about second acts!
The same is true of one of my favorite poets, Marie Ponsot. She published her first book of poetry in the 1950s but then did not publish again for 30 years and only starting winning awards in the late 1990s (including a National Book Award).
Each time I learn about women like this (and men, too), I realize that second and third acts in life aren't impossible. You only need the courage to try something different, challenge oneself. It won't be easy but it certainly won't be boring.
