A 365 day idea that you start on day 353 kind of loses a little of its oomph.  Nevertheless, as they say, better late than never.

My birthday is November 18 and on that date in 2010, I will turn fifty, 5-0, 50, a half century.  Gulp.

It’s hard not to dwell on the things I never did and probably will never do at this point in my life because I’m too old or there are other impediments such as life scars that will prevent  their fulfillment.  For example, I will never bear any more children.  Now that one I’m not too choked up about since it was my wish to only bear two in the first place and I’ve already done that though I sometimes wonder if I brought home the wrong kids.  (“Doctor, these hellions couldn’t possibly be my spawn.  Could you check and see if another mother who bore a child around the same time as me might have complained about having a child that is too compliant and easy-going?”)

Still, some of the things that stretch the realm of credibility barring a miracle do make me sad sometimes.  For example, I will probably never compete in the Olympics, not that I was ever close to being a competitor when I was young.

Some things I won’t do because the cost-benefit has shifted too far to the cost side.  For example, I will never get my PhD and become a college professor.  Once upon a time, I entertained this idea.  Now, it leaves me cold.

I won’t ever marry a handsome foreigner.  I’ve already married for life so I seriously doubt I’d ever want to start over again if, God forbid, I found myself widowed or divorced.  A New Mexican is about as exotic as it’s going to get for this chica.

But enough of that.  What about the things I still have plenty of time to do if I muster up the inclination?

I can still write and publish a book.  As a matter of fact, writing after retirement has a certain appeal to it.  Of course I’d have to travel to research exotic locales.  All doable.

I can still walk the Pennine Way, the Appalachian trail, the Appian way.  It might take me a really long time but broken down into bite sized pieces, it’s doable.  (I hope those are the right names.  If not, oh well.  I’m too lazy to research them but suffice to say they are multi-day walks through England and the Appalachian mountains of the eastern USA.)

I can still learn a musical instrument.

I can still learn a foreign language and/or live in a foreign country (though marriage is out of the question for reasons already cited above.)

I can still lose those extra pounds.

I can still get a black belt in some sort of martial art.  It might be an honorary black belt but I wouldn’t quibble.

I can still win the lottery.

I can be on the Amazing Race.  I might be half of the first team eliminated but so long as I get to meet Phil, I could live with that.

So anyway, the key here is to focus on the positive and set those goals that are attainable, some easier than others, some even obtained through the luck of the draw or by chance.  I’m not picky. Life must be enjoyed through a healthy mix of sweat and good fortune.  But it takes wisdom to recognize good fortune when it drops in your lap, wisdom that is acquired from living life.  Yo!  I got a lot of that and I’m ready.