The List: ‘Healthy, wealthy and wise’

At the top of my list of things to write about is New Years.

My wife and I had an enjoyable time to ourselves over the Christmas and New Years holidays. We both took some time off. While I took some time off in early July for our usual pilgrimage to Okoboji (and believe me, that looked a lot different in 2020), this was really my first extended time away from the news beat since before the pandemic began. It was refreshing, though times away remind me of some of the reasons I enjoy my job. What did I do? Not a darn thing.

My concrete New Years resolution this year for myself is to read 12 books this year I did this a couple of years ago and it was a really fruitful endeavor. I ordered “Start with Why,” a highly-regarded book by Simon Sinek about realizing why you do what you do, and I’m excited to read that. I also ordered “A Reporter’s Life,” which is Walter Cronkite’s autobiography, and I’m excited to read that when it comes. Those are a few of the books I’m starting with. I’m not much into fiction, so if you have any good suggestions for me on the non-fiction side of fiction, send them my way and I’ll consider them.

Kilee follows Jeff Angelo’s WHO radio show “Need to Know” on Facebook and I began following it recently too. I haven’t gotten too deep into his thoughts on things, but I heard him throw out a mantra that he evidently throws out a lot on the radio which is “healthy, wealthy and wise.” I wrote in the Fontanelle Observer this week that “opportunity” was my word for 2021, but these three other words are ones I am keeping a close eye on as well as I enter this new year.

If I am being healthy I am in a better position to be the person I was made to be. I plan to take steps to be healthier this year. Right now my steps consist of going to the fridge, so I’m going to change that. I’ve had success in this area in the past, so I am excited to use that experience to get back at it.

If I’m being wealthy, I’m not necessarily making more money. Maybe it means I’m considering how wealthy I really already am. I really think that’s a game changing mentality not only for us as individuals but for our cities and our culture to consider. What resources do we already have that we can build off of to improve our status quo, taking our wealth and becoming even wealthier, even if that doesn’t mean having or spending more money?

I also want to be wise this year. I’m not exactly sure what that looks like for me yet, but I’ve got a few big picture goals in mind for the next three to five years, but maybe sooner. I am sure that being wise will be taking steps toward those goals.

Legislators unite

Legislators are heading to work at the state and federal level this week as our state lawmakers head to the capitol Monday to start their 2021 session and our federal politicians are being sworn in for new terms this week also. We’ll do our best to keep you informed and have a pulse on the action as it unfolds.

Federal stimulus checks are hitting our bank accounts right now. I’m thankful I don’t have a dire need for these, but I don’t doubt there are people who do need them. Most of all, I think our economy needs them. That’s what they’re there for. Let’s spend them locally to help those who dare to own small businesses in this tough time.

Football

I claim to be an Iowa Hawkeyes fan, but how can you not be a Cyclone fan right now? The job Matt Campbell has done as head football coach at Iowa State is remarkable. If you would’ve told me a few years ago the Cyclones would be 9-3 and have a high-caliber bowl win like the Fiesta Bowl, I would’ve told you that you were off your rocker. Consider me on the bandwagon, but I don’t like the black uniforms. Give me at least some cardinal and gold. I get the idea that you’ve won a lot in black but, cardinal and gold are your school colors, right?

My NFL team, the Green Bay Packers, wrapped up the NFC North on Sunday and clinched the overall top-seed in the playoffs, which includes home field advantage throughout after a first round bye. I’d sure love to see a rematch of Super Bowl I with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Packers. Could it be? It will be fun to watch it all play out.