Antarctica is one of the most remote and uninhabitable places on Earth.  The journey to get there is long and unpredictable, particularly as one must cross the dreaded Drake Passage to reach the continent.  But even if one makes it through, there’s no guarantee of what will happen once you get there.  Actually, there is one guarantee that our expedition leader, Neil, gave us at the start of our trip . . . “It will not go according to plan.”  All of this feels like a microcosm of my journey and a perfect setting to appreciate where I am on it today — especially as this destination did not seem possible for my body, mind, or fitness just ten years ago.

Having just been caught in the moment of New Year’s and setting our goals for 2025, it’s now time to toss them out the window – if we haven’t already.  I mean, seriously, when it is a challenge to even predict a day ahead, how can we possibly predict the year ahead?  We can all probably look back to one year ago and see how impossible that is.  As the old Yiddish adage goes, “Man Plans.  God laughs.”

As we enter the New Year, it’s time for my much-anticipated post about goals.  I’ve said this many times before, but goals can be dangerous.  Of course, it’s often beneficial and productive to aspire.  Ambition gives us purpose, and in any journey, purpose is what it’s all about.  The danger in goals is not about the possibility of falling short or setting expectations that turn out to be unattainable – in fact, there’s much to learn from that – rather, it’s about making sure that whatever goal I set will truly further what I want to achieve.

First, as I share my thoughts on goals, I understand that goals are personal.  This area, more than any other, is one where none of us are the same and the differences in our lives matter the most when looking ahead to what we want to achieve.  But there is an underlying concept that all of us can benefit from when setting goals in our lives – focus them on the process, not the outcome.

There’s something about climbing that feels so perfect for my blog.  It’s not just the cool videos and photos, although my Instagram would be a lot more boring without them.  No, it’s the metaphor.  Climbing is the symbol of my journey.  Because even though I just started it as a true hobby this year, this entire journey has been a climb.

I’m not writing a blog this week.  It’s ok.

I’m burnt out.  It’s ok.

I burned the candle at every end.  It’s ok.

The only rule for this blog as it relates to my life is that it cannot get in the way of work.  At times, it does interfere with other aspects of my life whether fitness, family, or friends, and the key is balancing those sacrifices.  This week, the blog is the sacrifice.  It’s ok.

Today, not writing a blog is winning the day, as was sharing this short blog!

Dreams may feel shattered in the moment, but belief can make them happen in the long run.