I made a simple decision last year. I wanted to resolve to do something interesting and I wanted to make sure it wasn’t just a January fleeting moment — after all it was my 40th year on the planet. It was time to reach out of my comfort zone. Now, I’ve had resolutions before, and like many of you, I didn’t quite complete the quest. Whether it was to eat healthier or lose a few pounds, by the time I placed candy hearts on my desk for Valentine’s Day, the dream was over.

How could I make this year different? Well, it’s easy. I decided to tell a large group of people the plan, let them add to the list of items I’ve never done before and then let them vote on what I would do for the year and then most importantly I told my community — in writing.

I dove right in — literally. After my January Polar Plunge, I was already ready to pull the proverbial plug. However, it wouldn’t turn out to be my biggest or scariest challenge by a long shot. It was officially the coldest. February came in harmless enough. I purchased knitting needles and the most beautiful pink yarn. I watched countless You Tube videos on “How to Knit.” I mean — how hard could it be? Well, I found it to be one of the toughest challenges. You’ll see by the photos that I barely made it through month two.

Shooting a gun for the first time proved to be a bonding experience for my dad and me. He was a great teacher and took my task very seriously. He put up some targets in the back yard of his five-acre farm and laid out multiple shooting options. I officially shot a .22 and a .357 — very different sized weapons. Although I probably won’t take it up as a hobby, it was an
interesting experience.

My husband was a real trooper when we tried ballroom dancing. Actually, he was the star of the class. We’ll probably do that again sometime… Changing the tire made me glad that services like AAA exist. And, hanging out in a hot air balloon was not my idea of a fun, relaxing time in the afternoon. I was very excited to get going but once we were up moving around (shaking really and I’m mostly talking about the balloon’s basket), I quickly realized that being that far above the ground made me feel a little too vulnerable.

After that, I decided skydiving was not going to be an option. So, I swapped in one dangerous activity (at least in my mind) for another. It took a few minutes for someone to be brave enough to not only lend me a motorcycle to drive but also to try and teach me to handle it. When it came right down to it, it was in fact easier to get the motorcycle than the tractor I needed to drive in August. I fell off the motorcycle (there is video and from what I understand, the bike is fine) and drove the tractor across the field. They didn’t let me move the dirt. I can’t say that I blame them.

I canoed down the Grand River, which was a pretty big deal because after I almost drowned as a young person, I’m not big on small boats, water and me. So, that rare combination took a short, but resolution-satisfying trip on our fabulous water resource here
in Lansing.

Wrapping up the year was another embarrassing time in public. I was supposed to get singing lessons, but with my busy schedule I was smack dab in the middle of November and forced to set a date. Well, it was quite an experience. It is very different hearing your voice all alone from the song you’ve been practicing. Once I heard the screeching — I mean singing — coming from the speakers, my mouth went completely dry and my heart almost pounded out of my chest. I am in front of a crowd a lot and I don’t think I’ve ever felt so nervous.

I rounded up the year with a proposed donation of 30 pairs of shoes to charity. Frankly, this made me a tad anxious too. Choosing from the many shoes that have served me so well was difficult. However, it was particularly gratifying to see how many other individuals joined in the fun. I officially donated 43 pairs of my shoes, but gave Hidden Treasures in Lansing more than 100 pairs because men and women dropped off their footwear to my office as well.

I learned a lot about myself this year, which was the point. It’s definitely a lot more work to get out of my comfort zone at this age. I’m particularly satisfied with some of the toughest and most embarrassing moments. After all, if you can’t giggle at yourself, you’re much too serious. And, I really did have fun along the way. I hope this inspired you to do something new. You only live once.