December 12, 2022 | Julie A. Wallace

In 2022 I combined lessons from the heart with some –cough cough – goals.

But I don’t like the word goals, so this year has been a quest, a journey, a mission: that for which I am destined.

So how was the year?

January – the start of this year’s mission.
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November

Tarot Cards for November and December

I did a tarot spread for the full year and November’s card was Detail Details reminding me to look at the fine print of anything and everything plus accept things as they are. December’s card was Rock Bottom which encouraged me to surrender and a way will appear asking the question: are you willing to change.

I heard on TikTok that there are three key ages where your body changes. I forget the first one (maybe in your 30s?) but remember the other two were 60 and 78. It’s said that at these ages, your body has noticeable changes, and I have to agree.

I turned 60 last February and gobbled up the chocolate and sweets and tea. By the end of March I’d let go of most sweets and tea and feel better the majority of the time. I still dip my toe into both; err, as I write this on a Sunday, I’ve guzzled down one mug of caffeinated tea and love it. But I can’t subsist on sugar and caffeine alone anymore (and believe me, I’ve done that for a LONG time.)

My body takes longer to recover now, and is more easily injured. Sigh.

So yes, I’m willing to change and learning to change and practicing changing and changing and embracing change and loving change. I’m listening for clues from spirit and and reading the fine print where appropriate.

I liked doing the tarot cards for the year, liked doing the monthly missions so I’m already thinking about 2023. How about you?

Write 250 Words A Day, 5 Days A Week

Not happening. I wrote the first draft of a novel and went to the Lost Lake Writer’s Retreat instead.

Revamp WordStorm Casserole Poetry Book

Not happening. I lowered the price instead

Post Twice A Month On This Website

I did well with this mission and did post twice a month most months. I’ll carry on with this in 2023.

DeGoogle, deApple, deMicrosoft – embrace Linux!

Why? Because Google, Apple, and Microsoft all track your every move online and that’s wrong.

For most of the year, I used my Linux machine most of the time for personal use: checking personal email, watching YouTube videos, checking social media. I’ll carry on with this in 2023.

Have Fun

November and December have been fun-ish. At the beginning of November I was out sick for a bit and grieving the loss of a dear friend.

In Spirit Zoom calls have been refreshing. It’s so nice to talk and meditate with friends.
Same thing is true for the regular phone calls with the same people.
My hair is still colored purple, teal, and dark blue. Every so often while out and about, someone will say, “I love your hair” and that makes me smile.
I’ve had several craniosacral massages. Man, I love those so much!
I went to the annual Christmas lighted parade. I stood close to a very vocal group of kids who shouted, “Merry Christmas” at the top of their lungs to every passing float. The kids were rewarded with a lot of candy. My reward was laughing a lot and enjoying the lights.
It’s not necessarily “fun,” but I was happy to have an easy dental checkup and no cavities.
There was Thanksgiving, right? That was a lovely day spent with family.
It was fun to hear mom describe the beautiful bouquet I sent for her birthday.

Big Secret Goal #1: Finish the first draft of a novel.

I turned in the first draft of my novel into The Write Practice over Labor day weekend. My reward was attending the Lost Lake Writers Retreat in October.

Big Secret Goal #2: Backyard Landscaping.

This goal is done and dusted! Check out the big secret goal reveal that goes into a lot more detail about what was completed in the back yard this year. I added two pear trees and one dwarf mulberry. At the end of the year I had the same company come back and plant a bunch of Allium, Tulips, and Hyacinths – all which will explode come spring.

What I’m Reading

On GoodReads, I have a 2022 Reading Challenge goal of at least 50 books. I have two more books to go and really, with two weeks, I’ll crush this goal!

Living to Tell The Tale by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton
Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty by Anderson Cooper
The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate
The INFJ Writer: Cracking the Creative Genius of the World’s Rarest Type by Lauren Sapala.