Daily Cascade

"Crisp in the Fall"

Prompt:
“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.”- F.Scott Fitzgerald
Do you feel more goal oriented in October when you realize the year is almost over?

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Actually, the year being almost over doesn't do much for me. It is more of a fact that, in October, I reminisce the northern landscape and how beautiful it probably looks now but how that will change. In a short time, those lovely trees are going to be naked and exposed to the elements for some time. Their thick barks may protect them, but the thought of all those snowstorms, maybe a blizzard or two, and the chill in the air makes me feel for them from afar, where I am, where the temp is still 90 degrees.

As to being goal oriented, I guess I was that when I was younger. Not anymore. I don't need that idea and drive of how important achievement is. I don't now dwell on the intensity and know-how of what I want to achieve, but I still recall the memory of how well I used to break down tasks to doable sections and how I stayed focused on priorities without being distracted.

It may just be that being goal-oriented while young leaves some doable residues for the last stage of life and I am now grateful for those. When younger, I had the motivation to do this or that to reach a goal. Nowadays, I am focusing more on how to get the most from every hour and every minute, and I don't care much about progress, winning over others, or competitions.

On the other hand, having been in WdC for so long, I do appreciate the value of staying goal-oriented for writers. Being goal-oriented helps writers measure their personal progress while putting out the best work they can. The only negative I can think of could be a tunnel vision where people may neglect a balanced lifestyle. While paying too much attention to one goal, they may overlook other important aspects of life such as health, family, relationships, and other opportunities. Too much attention to one goal may bring about a big success, but it may also lead to rigid thinking and it can negatively impact one's mental well-being.

I hope this October brings much spontaneity and creativity to my writer friends with many long-term successes and happiness all around.