Much to my surprise, I noticed yesterday that we are almost at the mid-year point of 2024. Summer is here (along with a heat wave in Boston this week) and rumbling along. It occurred to me to look at how my numbers are adding up this year. Diane reported on her 24 things to do in 2024 list here, which prompted me to take a look at my own list. Here is a numbers breakdown of where I am now.
100: the number of workouts I’ve done so far in my 224 workouts in 2024 FB group. A bunch of those were done in the past week with family and friends at the beach. This is a good reminder going forward that I play well and actively with others, more so than alone. I’m on track to finish by years’ end if I keep that in mind.
80: the number of consecutive days I’ve meditated. I’m glad to have been so consistent in meditation, but am trying not to get hung up on streaks. If I miss a day, I just go back to sitting the following one. Restarting over and over without judgment is one of the lessons you learn in meditation. Still, 80 is a nice number…
3: the number of my heretofore-unused small kitchen appliances I planned to use in 2024. The Instapot, Kitchen Aid mixer, and bread machine (all gifts) were sitting in relatively pristine shape, untouched by food ingredients.
0: the number of above-mentioned small kitchen appliances I have actually used so far in 2024. Oops. I gotta get on that pronto. Or not. We’ll see.
2: the number of 60th birthday parties I’m attending this year. One is in August– Sam, I’ll be there with bells on!– and the other is a family birthday in September.
16: the number of things on my 24-things-to-do-in-2024 that I’m still vying to complete or are still in progress.
2: the number of things on that same list that have fallen by the wayside. I’m not going to as many academic conferences or meditation retreats this year as I had planned. Why? I’m feeling like doing my intellectual and internal work more locally right now. My friend Norah and I have started a project on measurement in healthcare that is in the early stages. We’re eyeing some conferences in 2025 for presenting that work. And as for summer meditation retreats: I’m having a fun summer locally, punctuated by trips to see family and friends. Sitting at home or with local groups at my yoga studio and elsewhere is working for me.
N: the number of books I’ve read this year. Who knows? I just don’t keep track.
So folks, how’s your year doing, numerically speaking?
80 consecutive days of meditation–I’m not sure if “bravo” is the right word–my father used to say, on happy occasions, “may you go from strength to strength”, so I offer that. As for the kitchen appliances that were gifts, that’s a challenge! I admire your intention.
Hmm. Not keeping many numbers. My total is probably about 185 so far. I ride my bike 3-4 times/week – if it’s not raining. Until recently, I was running once or twice a week, but knee arthritis has moved up a notch, so impact isn’t the best choice. But I’ve added in some hiking & live in a hilly area, so I can get the high heart rate I want without the impact of running..
I’m about to bump the numbers up a lot. We hop in the car Saturday & will head up to Idaho, stopping for a morning’s canoe ride on the way. Once there, we will find a place to leave the car and use our e-bikes to ride wherever we feel like riding until late July. We will probably ride or hike almost every day, so there should be a lot more activity in my near future!
I admire your list of things to work on besides workouts. I have, at best, a vague idea of things to work on. Other than trip planning, my results would not look great.