Jolyn Young

New year, more goals

Happy new year! Gosh, it sounds so cliche to make New Year’s resolutions, but I did it anyway. I saw such huge growth within myself over the course of 2023, I thought, “Why not keep this crazy train rolling?”

So, here are my resolutions:

  1. Improve my stand-up comedy performance. I’ve been writing humor for years, but saying jokes out loud is a whole ‘nother skill. I’m pushing myself to take the time to video myself telling a few jokes I wrote, then watch and analyze the footage. It’s awkward. It’s cringey. I don’t wanna do it. But, I want to improve more than I want to hide from the gap between what I want my performance to look like and what it currently looks like, so I make myself film, critique, and repeat.
  2. Read the whole Bible. I have a handy-dandy version of the Bible that provides a section of Old and New Testament, plus Psalms and Proverbs to read each day. It’s been a few years since I’ve made it all the way through, and so far I’m only one day behind. Not too bad, really!
  3. Go to bed earlier. Self-improvement is rarely glamorous, but I’m trying to get more sleep this year. I need to pack up those bags under my eyes and give ’em the boot.
  4. Adjust my workout routine to include more jumping on the trampoline with my kids and less jumping rope on the porch at 9 p.m. I catch more air on the trampoline, especially when my kids power jump me. Plus, I’m tired and want to go to bed in the nine o’clock hour, not lace up my trainers (or whatever people are calling tennis shoes these days) and jump up and down in the dark.
  5. Finish my second book manuscript. The writing process is going so much faster the second time around. Funny how a little experience helps with that.

I’m definitely going to need to rest up for 2024, because I have a full schedule planned through March. On January 11, I’ll give an Author Talk at the Joyner-Green Valley Library in Green Valley, AZ. January 20-21 will find me selling books at the Art of the Cowgirl event in Queen Creek, AZ. On February 2, I’ll participate in the Society of Southwestern Authors’ Showcase as a speaker in Green Valley. And on March 9, I’ll sell books at the Tucson Festival of Books, the third-largest book festival in the nation.

Whew! I’m worn out just thinking about all this. I better go read my Bible and get some sleep.

But first, here’s something fun…don’t worry, it’s all the good, clean, PG-rated, show-it-to-your-grandma/grandkid kind of fun.

And if you missed my December blog on Western Horseman’s website, you can check it out here.

Did anyone else make any New Year’s resolutions? If so, share in the comments! I love to hear what positive steps others are making to achieve their goals.

Happy 2024 – make it your best year yet.

*Featured image taken at the Triangle N camp of the O RO Ranch in 2017.

Responses

  1. Grace Avatar
    Grace

    Hello. When will you be at the Art of the Cowgirl, please? Thank you.

    Reply
    1. Jolyn Young Avatar
      Jolyn Young

      Hi Grace. I’ll be in the author’s area at Art of the Cowgirl on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 20-21. Hope to see you there!

      Reply
      1. Grace Avatar
        Grace

        Jolyn,

        Hello. Thank you for the event information. I look forward to meeting you. My husband was from a ranch in SD and he did 20 years in the Navy. He retired in 2003 and started as an assistant trainer and shoeing. We have been married 39 years and have no children. Your stories made me remember my stories. Christmas, holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries are just another day. Pantries are money in the bank. Once I used every canned good as UT was Christmas and money was tight. If you have 3 vehicles that run, they will all break down 3 days after he goes to sea. He always took duty at Christmas as we felt children needed their parents more than we needed a day at home. Sometimes I got to spend it on the submarine with him. When training a show string The Gold Coast meant hauling out to show the day before Christmas. He was gone more as a trainer than when he had sea duty. The show circuit is one show after another. Assistant trainers do the breaking down, moving and setting up. He could make phone calls though, so much better. Even now, I spend 5 months during the summer in Eager at the X Diamond Ranch and he stays in Phoenix to shoe. He comes up every 4th or 5th day to stay for a few days. I take our horses up with me and help Wink at the ranch. You would like her. Her great grandfather started the X Diamond Ranch. I wanted you to know that you do yourself and others proud by your writing and your conduct. Thank you.

        Grace Scofield

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