The Starting Line

So here I am at the beginning of 2008 and feeling excited as I always do at the beginning of a new year. But before I can get to what's in store for the new year, I think it's important to look back at where I've been over the course of the last year.

I started a new job shortly before the beginning of 2007, and that has been a huge influence on so much of my year. I have been challenged more in the last year than I have in the entire rest of my work life, and that has been such an incredible change. I've been pushed to step up to the plate and have felt completely empowered to do just that. For the first time in a long time I feel truly respected and appreciated. I can't explain it, but it's just incredible and I feel so motivated in so many ways. Not to mention I have met some really great people and work for an AWESOME organization. For a long time I didn't think I could find this in a for-profit institution - I didn't think I could find a place where employees are valued, where everyone is truly dedicated, and where I feel like there is nothing but integrity. I can only hope to someday say that I've given at least a fraction back to the organization that it has, even in this short time, given to me.

This was a year of weddings. My cousin had the wedding she'd been waiting for while her husband was in Iraq in May. One of my best high school friends got married in May and it was absolutely the most fun wedding I've ever attended. A newer and still dear friend got married in July, and even though their marriage started with a ring in the bottom of the lake, they're off to a great start! Then I participated in the marriage of another best friend in October. The year was rounded out by the wedding of a coworker. What a joy-filled year - I am so blessed to have been able to enjoy the celebration of so much love.

I also had to miss the wedding of an awesome gal from my Carroll days, because I was in the process of the most interesting housing situation of my life (yes, even compared to the craziness of the broken lease situation of 2005/2006). I planned a night out to see a concert with some friends, and before we headed out was propositioned. As it turned out, my friend Eric was looking to buy a house, and was looking for someone to help contribute to the payment process. As it turned out, he found a great house - a nice, quiet neighborhood, close to downtown, off-street parking and a substantial studio upstairs. Of course I said yes right away - it was just what I needed. Unfortunately, however, the situation wasn't entirely ideal. The sale was a mess that took months. However, it gave me an opportunity to realize what awesome friends I have when I moved in with Krista and Kevin for a couple months in the interim. The important thing is that we're here now and the house is great! However, I had some adjustments. Like the fact that my closet is about an eighth of what it had been in my last place, I need to go downstairs to use a stove, I park outside, and I have NO IDEA where to find anything in this area - not to mention that I'm not a fan of the grocery store options. And yet, this whole experience has taught me to believe in my ability to adapt and shown me that I really am resilient.

Overall, I would say 2007 was one of realization. And it's this fact that has brought me to my hopes for 2008. Many have heard me say that I don't believe in the term "resolution" - it just implies too much black and white, and I don't think it supports the idea of "process" and growth. Instead, I prefer to focus on goals. My big goals for the year are health and finance related. But I'm approaching the year with a new perspective - I plan to choose a weekly goal to focus on to help me build toward my bigger goals. We'll see. Time will tell how that goes. I'm hoping more journaling will help me keep on with my progress.