Today, I turn 61 years old. Sixty-one years young?

I’m alive and feeling grateful.

I get to spend the day with the love of my life, Deb. And our three kids, Caileigh, Keaton, and Tara. And Keaton’s girlfriend, Kate. Only our son-in-law is missing from a nuclear family love fest.

As time passes, opportunities like this get rarer and rarer.

I found out yesterday that someone I knew passed away. He was two years younger than me.

So, I am also given the gift of appreciating what I have. And being aware how precious and fragile our time on this planet is.

But — DANG! — I feel so lucky and blessed.

Last year, I started thinking of setting goals according to my calendar.

The calendar of Peter. The calendar of the Groon. My beginning of the year is February 22 and the end of the year is February 21.

We have so many calendars that we follow (work, school, etc.), so what’s another calendar thrown into the mix?

The nice thing about following my calendar of Groon is that when December rolls around, the year isn’t over. But I still get a jolt to get moving on some of those goals I set for the year.

Of course, that didn’t move me enough to accomplish most of the goals I set last year.

I wanted to write two plays. I missed that goal.

I wanted to start a side hustle. I missed that goal.

I wanted to get my weight down to 160lbs. I missed that goal.

I wanted to travel to two places with Deb. Yay! I met that goal!!

We went to Portugal and British Columbia.

The nice thing about missing goals is that you can use them again. But make adjustments to make them more achievable.

So, for year 61 of the Groon, I’d like to do the following:

• write one play. I’m getting to the end of my Artistic Rehab and the creative juices are starting to percolate.
• I’d like to get my weight down to 190lbs. I’ve been there before and would like to get back there. It’s a significant marker on route to my Marathon Weight. Slow and steady wins the race.
• I still want to find a side hustle. Maybe it’s my playwriting. Maybe it’s some other kind of writing. But I want to earn a little income unrelated to my day job.
• And I’d like to go on two more trips with Deb. They don’t have to be as far away as Portugal or British Columbia. Just an opportunity to get away.

I also have some things from my Five-Year plan that I will get done this year.

Of course, having goals is more important than achieving goals. It gives you a focus. A destination to head towards.

But it’s always the journey that’s more important than the destination.

It’s the journey that shapes you. Changes you.

I’m looking forward to this next turn around the sun. This next year of The Groon.

I am curious to see how I will change and grow in the next twelve months.