How come the beginning is never nigh?

It's so hard for me to believe that the year is almost over, even when it has seemed like a long one. No matter how long and difficult a year has been, it always feels so short once December rolls around. Probably because I feel like my life is passing by me so quickly and some of the things I've always wanted still haven't happened and don't look like they will happen soon. Love, marriage, kids. Loving myself: an exhausting process, and one that doesn't seem to have an end. Knowing what I want to do with my life. That's a big one. I know that what I do isn't very personally fulfilling, but I don't know if I should be doing something else, or doing more in my down time (what down time?) to find that fulfillment. Sigh. And as much as I adore Christmas and look forward to the beginning of a whole new year, I dread the long months that stretch in between. I'm trying to be positive. I don't know if that's really coming across here, but I am trying. I plan to make solid goals for the new year - things I can really keep track of, things I can count, things I can chart (because you know how I love a good chart!) and I hope to use this blog as a way to keep myself more accountable and motivated. Some of the goal ideas come from Dialing Life, a wonderful blog full of thoughtful, intelligent, often very touching posts. Others I'm still pondering, but if you keep watch you'll see them when January rolls around. Suggestions, as always, are welcome and much appreciated. I want to make goals that really help me grow, not create goals that I will use to weigh myself down. Here's to change for the new year!