Within the last couple of years I've accomplished one lifelong objective, which was to become published in a paying magazine. I have written ever since I was a kid, but never submitted anything for publication (that was unsolicited) until 2007. The first things I submitted, in fact, were accepted. (How many writers can say that? Most writers are rejected over and over again before their work is accepted for publication.) (Yes, I admit to some pride on this account! So sue me, lol!)

I remember as a child and teenager I did feel like such a failure because, though I spent so much time writing, I had not produced anything I deemed worthy of publication. I knew that other people who were very young had had books published and I compared myself unfavorably to them.

At this point I realize that I was beating myself up over nothing. I don't think that I really produced anything that was really good until the last few years, in fact. When I read stuff now that I wrote in my 20s and 30s I sort of cringe because, though my story ideas and dialog are pretty good, my style seems so... undeveloped. So now I'm attacking the whole writing thing with a lot more enthusiasm and confidence. Over the next few years I hope to have a lot more of my work published. (NOTE: I have had a lot of stuff published in magazines, especially back during the 1980s when I was writing reviews of rock musik and books, but I was never paid for any of it and it was all stuff that I had been asked to write by the magazines' editors, so that doesn't count in my opinion.)

But I have other goals for the next 50 years of my life. I would have to say the biggest one, that is really a long-range goal, is to own and operate a vineyard and winery.

I am curious regarding whether anyone else in this group has set goals for him or herself similar to this.

What are some of your goals, if any, for the next 50 years of your life? Would you consider them long- or short-range goals?

Thanks for taking the time to read! yours in Chaos, Scarlett

Congrats and where/what can we read that is being published??? Do share the good news!

Er, that's not really the topic, though. I was wondering if anyone else had, ya know, plans for the next 50 years, lol. I don't want to publicize this magazine, I sort of got into it with the senior editor (who I think doesn't even have plans for the next couple of years, much less 50; in fact he seems to have given up on life entirely). : D

If you message me about it I'm happy to give you the information, but you'll likely find it anticlimactic. xoxoxo

Scarlett congrats on getting published.
I have just completed my first goal to finish high school.Thirty yrs after I left in grade 10.My second goal is to get my grade 11 math but I am struggling with grade 10.I don't give up easily so this is a work in progress.My college course as a Hearing Instrument specialist starts in Sept.My third goal is also to have something published as well,I write poetry,short stories and am hopeing to write about the heros in my life.carol

It only took me 33 years to complete my AA and another 2 to get my BA in June 08. I got a job in my field of study, Law & Justice, Corrections. My next goal is to become a Juvenile Parole Counselor. Long term goals include owning a home and being able to retire and travel or whatever and not HAVE to pinch pennies, unless I WANT to.

I feel so insignificant when confronted with people who have that much ambition. I guess I envy it because it is viewed as a very desirable trait and I tend to be more motivated by curiosity than by achievement.

Most of the accomplishments of which I am proudest or have derived the most satisfaction from, have not been things that I specifically set a goal to achieve. They just seem to have presented themselves as opportunities along the way.

So aside from the fact that I don't really expect to be around 50 years from now, I can't say I have any concrete goals that I want to have accomplished before the ol' ticker stops tickin', other than to continuously improve my understanding of, and ability to handle, life.

I don't know about 50, but do plan on being the first in known family to make it to their 80's.
Want to live to see GREATgrandchildren & that had better be 20+ yrs or more. Live life, help people & enjoy my son's family.

Sounds like heaven to me.

Okay...will be more cooperative in terms of answering the question...(and will message you later :)
I have a list of "things to do" - some easy, some hard, some ridiculous & some serious. Tried making it a list of 100 recently and haven't come up with that many yet - guess I need to work on my imagination! The really important thing now is focusing on health and fitness and taking care of myself so I can LIVE long enough to tick off some of these things...

These are all wonderful goals and just the sort of thing I was hoping to read. To want to finish one's education at the point in life when most people are thinking of retirement is an extremely positive goal. For my own part, every year I consider more strongly whether I should attend college or not. I know that it would make my parents ecstatically happy, and of course it wouldn't actually HURT me (although I can see myself getting into lots of trouble in a college setting).

As far as "ambition"--I did try to point out, though I may not have done a good job of it, that I had ambition when I was younger. I do not have ambition now; I'm really just having a great time. Perhaps it's something unique to our age group that "progress" and "fun" can be one and the same...? xoxoxo

I find that I am totally reevaluating my life.
Spent yrs working my tail off & now no family to share it with. Planning alot of my time around when my son will be back with his family & spending the tme with them; I should have spent with him.

I can definitely relate to that. I spent the past 25 years 3000 miles from the rest of my family. It wasn't until moving back to the area just recently that I realized how important they really were to me and how much happier I am just being around them.

Just plans for next year: I'd like to complete the Little Rock Marathon.

My plans are to spend as much time with my family, friends and the people I love until my time comes to say good bye folks.

I feel that way when my mom comes and spends winter with me just I feel more sercure in life. It is a more positive feeling the lonely feelings
are gone.

Now my plans are to enjoy life.

Congrats to everyone on their first 50 yrs. of accomplishments! #1, if I live another 50 years, I will have really set a record for longevity in my family. I have lots of plans for the next however many years I'm granted on this earth, to include, but not limited to, seeing all 50 States (I have a long way to go on that), enjoying my kids, hopefully someday having a grandchild, and just enjoying each day. Sounds kind of cliche, but it's true.

I have accomplished and overcome so much in the first 50 yrs. of life that in my next 50 yrs. I hope to enjoy life, take time to travel and enjoy my family and friends.