31 Dec 10 Goodbye 2010
To say it wasn’t the best year of my life so far, is an understatement, and yet of course, there is always someone worse off. I could have made some better choices. Still, we’re at where we’re at, at any given time, because our life’s decisions have put us there.
The year started out OK, and now, it seems like it was ten years ago, and not twelve months.
I’ve moved twice in 2010, and not across town - the first move was across the country, and the second was across the world.
I can’t say I didn’t enjoy a southern Californian summer; the weather was rather wonderful. I’m quite happy with the heat, and it was a welcome change from the humidity of the Carolinas.
Still I missed much of the social scene of Charleston; I had after all, lived there for six years, so felt quite at home there – although I always felt at home in Charleston, from the first time I visited. I’m glad I had the experience of living in the lowcountry.
Would I do it again? Undoubtedly.
California? Yes, I think so too. I wasn’t actually living there long enough to feel truly at home, although I loved the mountains and the high desert landscapes. Although I can’t pretend it was a happy, settled and contented time there for a number of reasons, I can’t say I didn’t like California itself. I fully understand why it’s a popular place to live for so many.
Still, while it’s good to sometimes take a brief look back, and take stock, such as at a year’s end, I’m not one for doing that too often. The future is ahead for living, and the past has already been lived in.
I’ve got a number of plans for 2011, and it’s just a question of everything coming together, so that they come to fruition.
Happy New Year!
Tags: best year of my life, choices, decisions, desert landscapes, first move, fruition, happy new year, high desert, humidity, lowcountry, mountains, southern californian, stock, twelve months, understatement, weather
01 Jan 10 A New Year
Yes, another year rolls by. Of course, it’s only an arbitrary man-made date, much the same as the calibration of time, so we all can all cross paths just when we need to. Just think for a moment what fun we’d have if we didn’t have clocks and watches; if we hadn’t invented a way to keep time or date. Pretty chaotic, don’t you think?
Anyway, back in the days when I would go out until the small hours, and drink too much for my own good, I would then proceed to announce, along with many of my fellow revelers, what I was going to give up, or cut down on for that year. Yes, thinking back, it was usually quite a negative thing in some respects. Sure there were goals, but it was usually things like quitting smoking, or drinking, or eating less. I don’t often remember it being more positive goals, like getting a promotion, or buying a new car, or a bigger house, or simply resolving to be a better person.
Still, I quit doing that a while back. Why? Well, really we should be re-evaluating ourselves each and every day, not just on an annual basis. We should really keep track of where we’re heading as we go along. After all, when we go on a new journey that we’re not familiar with, we check the map (or listen to the GPS) at regular intervals to be sure we’re still going the correct way don’t we? We don’t drive or walk without looking at the signs along the way. Why should we do that with the journey of life?
So, my philosophy is to set some attainable goals. You can do this at any time, it doesn’t have to be at the beginning of a year. Then just keep an eye on where you’re going each day to make sure you’re heading at least in some way towards those goals. Adjust your route if not. Find another one, or traverse the current one a little quicker or a little slower, or perhaps in a different vehicle.
Attainable is an important word here too. You may resolve to become a millionaire in a period of time. Perhaps you will, some do, many don’t. It could be better to do it in small steps. Get a spare grand first, then ten grand, a hundred grand. That way you’re achieving more goals, and not simply never seeming to reach the big one.
Remember that tomorrow never comes, and neither does ‘one day’. So while you’re aiming for those goals, have a little fun along the way too. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
Happy New Year
Tags: 2010, goals, happy new year, resolutions
01 Jan 09 2009
I usually forget about the end of January. That’s when I stop making a deliberate effort to remember that it’s a new year, and that’s when I make the mistake and put the previous year on stuff.
Anyway, I hope you had a pleasant evening seeing in the New Year in, or, if you don’t celebrate, a pleasant evening anyway.
If you did celebrate, I hope you’re not too hung over.
If you had a good year in 2008, may 2009 be even better, and if 2008 was a year you’d rather forget, well forget it! It’s 2009 now.
I know it’s only an arbitary date, but it’s still a good time to look forward, and set a few new goals for a new year.
Talking of goals, set them high for sure, but don’t set them too high that they are unattainable. If you really don’t think you make a million this year, go for $100K, or even $10K.
You’ll feel better than you made that lesser goal, and it’ll give you a starting place, and even more inspiration for 2010. Don’t undersell yourself of course, and whatever you do, when you reach that goal, if you can carry on past it, then be sure you do!
Tags: deliberate effort, good year, happy new year, mistake, new year, previous year
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