What am I going to do today to make the world a better place?
Those words are on a piece of paper taped to the to of my treadmill. Every morning as I climb my obligatory 4000’ I ask myself this question, and before I go to bed every night I run through the day’s activities: Did I do something today to make the world a better place? Some days’ it’s as simple as not cutting someone off when I could have, or letting someone else have the parking spot we were both hoping to get. Others it’s changing my schedule around to visit someone who’s lost a loved one, or changing vacation plans to help someone in need. Most days it’s just staying positive when the negative seems to come so easily. Or just keeping my mouth shut.
I’m not a big fan of resolutions. If I’m not happy with where I’m at I don’t think I should wait until a new year comes along to change what I’m doing. I am a fan of goals and goal setting. Probably to the extreme. Goals need to be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely (SMART). Each year at the end of December, instead of setting resolutions, I set goals that are SMART, and then I write them down and publish them to keep myself accountable. Here are my 2019 goals:
Help someone climb a 13er or 14er, or any hike they didn’t think was possible for them
Dedicate 1 day a week as “family day” with whichever of my kids is home (sorry Emily, this is most likely going to affect you)
Try 3 new types of Whiskey
Help 3 girls earn their Gold Award
Sleep outside twice
Learn 20 new words / phrases in German
Post 2 positive comments on a facebook post every day
Teach someone a new skill
Do something that scares me
Swim
Read for 15 minutes a day
Attend 12 Happy Hour meet-ups (I’m NOT a people person, so this won’t be as easy as it sounds)
Say “yes” to 2 invites
Attend a concert
Stick up for someone in an online forum
Plant a garden (and fix the sprinkler system)
Complete 4 Highpoints outside of Colorado, with at least 1 being above 10,000’
Complete 21 Centennials (I’m currently at 76, so this would bring me to 97)
Complete 5 winter 14er ascents (duplicate peaks are ok)
Climb 80 peaks (I climbed 77 in 2018, not counting the incline, which I did about 15 times, so this seems attainable)
Break the top 100 for total number of ranked peaks climbed in 2019 (I’m currently on the LoJ site as #109)
Break the top 50 on LoJ for sum of elevation hiked/climbed (I’m currently at #55, with 868,783’ climbed for 2018, but this doesn’t include my daily treadmill 4000’ or Incline hikes, since these aren’t “peaks”)
Hike on 50 days this calendar year (for 2018 I hiked 47 days, putting me at #89 on the LoJ site)
Hike a peak with no trail to the summit
Keep track of miles hiked
Tell others what I like about them when the opportunity arises.
Try 1 new recipe a month
Update “relationship goals” for 2019
Wild Wanderer 
It’s good to see your back from your getaway with your nearest and dearest.You mentioned that of Your son being stationed in Alaska.I hope He has no trouble adjusting to the life style of the (Last Frontier). I read of Your goals and realize that if anyone can attain them,(It is You) I have been blessed in seeing Your determination unfold before my very eyes in the many mountains You have conquered and struggled to do so. Please forgive me Laura if I seem repetitious in my replies to Your writings,but I’m awestruck that such a young Lady can do so much and keep a dynamic attitude of the things that would drag most folks down.I would love to be able to do a 14’er ,but I would rather do it alone,for not wanting to hold someone else down should I become a burden.I would never want to do that to anyone.That is one of the reasons I respect so much Laura.Your a carefree Mountain Climbing Loaner.I have nothing but the highest respect and honor for all You do and all You so freely give of Yourself to benefit others.I see it clearly in the Leadership You give to Girls in the (Girl Scouts of America).Never stop (Being All You Can Be) Happy Trails !
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Thanks for another great article. Where else could anyone get that kind of information in such an ideal method of writing?
I have a presentation next week, and I am on the look for such info. https://no8rejuvenationserum.com/
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You really set exceptionally high standards for Yourself Laura.From past standards You set for Yourself,it is amazing how You capture them one by one.Now maybe You can see why many admire the things You do. I myself am totally awed at what You do and accomplish at such a young age . Happy Trails Wild Wanderer.
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Looked over Your 2019 goals and hope You were able to accomplish all of them.I really don’t know how You push Yourself to attain these and be a full time mother and provider to Your daughters and at one time,Your son who is now a mlitary man protecting our homelands.There is one item in Yaour goals that I would that I could have been mentioned in,but am satisfied in just reading about.I’m sure Your 2020 goals will be just as inspiring to all who are tuned in to Your postings and follow You faithfully. Thank You Miss Laura,
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