Goal!

In sport speak, the word goal indicates something to be celebrated, and is generally said with great excitement.  In the rest of life, at least in my life, the word 'goal' is said with much less excitement.

While I recognize the importance of setting goals in order to improve, I also recognize that goals require work, which I don't always enjoy.  But I set goals anyway, and for the last few years have even written them down so I would remember and hopefully accomplish them.

Last year I had a goal to go on a specific number of dates.  Now, I recognize that this is not an ideal goal, since my ability to accomplish it depends in large part on the choices of others.  However, setting the goal does motivate me to work towards it, remembering that I need to try to look my best, and smile, and actually talk to men.  I only achieved 60% of last year's goal, so for this year I decided not to set a specific number, but instead to have the goal of going on more dates than last year.

A few days ago I realized that it has been almost a year since my last date, which means that I am sadly failing at my goal.  But miracles have not ceased - shortly after I had that thought, I got asked out on a date by someone who meets all of the criteria on my list!  Including being younger than my dad.