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Resolutions and goals for 2014

1/1/2014

6 Comments

 
Picture
Reykir, Iceland – © Brandon Elijah Scott / Eye & Pen
As the familiar phrase goes, “I can’t believe it’s been a year already!” – so does my indignation that time flies by as fast as it does. It’s almost a cruel jest that it’s so easy to let life pass you by – but even for those who live life to the fullest, time passes by perhaps seemingly faster, as joyful times are but the speediest. My past year has been the best in recent memory – I traveled for nearly eight straight months, visiting 25 countries, where 19 of which were completely new to me. I have to say that I had one hell of a time along the way, and I can only hope that the coming new year is just as good, if not even better – and with current plans in mind, that may not be so hard to imagine.
Last year, I published a similar article that showcased a little of the good, and the bad of the previous year, as well as some of the finer things I accomplished and experienced. This year, I find it much more difficult to choose one particularly special moment from my travels. I could easily say that my time (of nearly two months) that I spent in Venice, Italy with some of the best people I’ve ever met was my overall favorite – and while those memories will be forever cherished, I still find it difficult to pick one place or one experience as my absolute best memory of 2013. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Spain, Morocco, Croatia, Germany, Switzerland, Scotland and Iceland, but that’s still rather vague, isn’t it?
  • Instead of pinpointing one moment from the last year, I think it best to list off some of my favorite experiences:
  • Finding God and freedom while hiking in the Swiss Alps
  • Flying high over London in a helicopter
  • Trying some interesting foods in Croatia and Morocco
  • Getting drunk in my first German beer hall experience
  • Spending orange sunset nights with some amazing people in Venice
  • Road tripping through the Scottish Highlands and around the Isle of Skye
  • Photographing the immensely beautiful and breath-taking scenery of Iceland
  • Exploring the backstreets of Barcelona with newfound hostel mates
  • Watching and understanding the interesting cultural differences in Marrakech
  • Experiencing five-star accommodations at Castle Leslie in Ireland
  • Sunbathing on a wall of rocks in Piran
  • Gorging myself on the many amazing beers in Belgium, before drunk-eating my way through loads of waffles and chocolate
  • Touring the original distillery that makes my favorite whiskies in Middleton
  • Wandering the ancient streets of Rovinj with perfect strangers
  • Playing makeshift checkers in front of the most beautiful backdrop of mountains in Innsbruck
  • Having my breath taken away from the moody and immeasurable Glencoe Pass
  • Accomplishing hundreds of items on my Bucket List

While there were thousands of other interesting antics and experiences that are worth remembering, and taking note of, I now look to the future.

As is tradition – well, it is now that this is year two of this article – I’ve set a few resolutions and goals for the upcoming year (in no particular order):
  • Finish my travel narrative novella/anthology
  • Travel to (at least) 10 new destinations
  • Explore Asia for the first time
  • Be published in print
  • Advance my photography career
  • Upgrade my photography equipment
  • Control my unhealthy habits and to work out religiously
  • Progress along new and exciting career paths
  • Settle down in a semi-permanent home, some place
  • Complete my USA road trip
  • Experience real enlightenment

Thank you for reading, participating, commenting, and for giving my life worth. I send good vibes to you, along with this correspondence – and I wish nothing more than for each of you to have a fantastic year, full of blessings, wisdom, growth and betterment! Much love.

P.S. I’m curious – what exactly is on your New Years resolution list?
Please feel free to comment below:
6 Comments
Alma Celina link
1/2/2014 02:23:17 pm

Hi Brandon,

Awesome Post!

My list of New Year's resolution was based on the thing I have learned a bit about last year of 2013. And you can find it here: http://travelerswhitepages.info/lessons-learned-in-2013/

Looking forward to your trip to Asia! Hoping that Philippines is one of those you intend to visit ;)

Have a great 2014!!

Reply
Brandon Elijah Scott link
3/2/2014 02:28:36 pm

Great list! I hope that you get to accomplish everything that you have on here.

Reply
Paula Popper link
1/5/2014 04:57:40 am

Enlightenment is within! I love your list, both the experiences of the past year and the list for the coming year. Just breathe through it all and you will have a great time.

Reply
Brandon Elijah Scott link
3/2/2014 02:29:42 pm

Thank you! Your comment means a lot to me. I am very excited to start this year off right!

Reply
Ian Phillips
1/22/2014 03:50:05 am

I will knock 2 more countries this year Costa Rica and Ecuador.
Plus a trip to the UK where my mother's ancestors once walked the streets of Shrewsbury. One resolution given I will also be renting a house in Nicaragua is to act more like a native when there, speak less English. Not going to see gringos anyway. No quiero agringarme. I do not want to appear like a gringo will be my motto.
Happy Travels

Reply
Brandon Elijah Scott link
3/2/2014 02:30:30 pm

Ian! Always good to hear from you. I want to hear all about your trips!

Reply



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