What is most important?

To me, what is most important is: to constantly learn, work hard to become better each year in all areas of your life, family, and treating others with kindness.

I took a test last year and I learned that learning is my highest motivator over reaching goals and having friends. Friends was in last place out of the three and I find at this time in my life, I have no close friends.

I've always felt that it is important to progress in life and to be a better person next year as compared to the last year. In life, there are many levels of need for improvement so what may seem apparent to one may not be to someone else. I'm proud of the fact that I learned how to swim 2 1/2 years ago, which is quite a feat since I was so afraid of deep water.

Family is so important to me but I find that I don't have the opportunity to be near family as often as I would like. Everyone is scattered, busy, and involved in important projects. I think these days, family is not a priority in today's world. I've said I would love to live on the same street with my children so I could have a big dinner once a week, be helpful, bake bread, babysit, etc. but this isn't in the cards for me. I guess I'm stuck in the 50's of how I think things should be in life.

I feel it is important to be kind and respectful to others in life. This does not mean, however, that you continue to put yourself in the path of someone you know will cause you harm or continue to allow yourself to be used or hurt. It's important to protect yourself but it is important to forgive and treat everyone with respect and kindness no matter how you are treated by others. I guess this is my Miss Pollyana view of life.

Writing is essential, as important as breathing. To move my writing goals forward daily is important to me. Having computer problems stunts my progress. I recently lost family photos, my screenplay and writing on my computer. Frustrating!

To read to support my writing is equally important. Right now I'm reading the BEST library book. I need to buy it since it is one of the BEST books on writing that I've ever read. A WRITER'S COACH by Jack Hart. Jack Hart is a managing editor at the Oregonian and a former professor at the University of Oregon.

So what's important to me?.....moving my projects forward, being nice along the way, and seeing my family as often as possible.