Last year, the keyword I used was “ignition.” It seemed appropriate at the time, but in the year that followed did I really burn as brightly as I wanted to? It’s really hard to tell. There were a lot of highs and lows throughout, and overall I’m in an interesting position. Without even discussing the possibilities lying at my feet, I have to say that to some extent I’m experiencing a slight paralysis. I don’t want to experience any regret with any decisions that I will make. So, I’m making an effort to really think things through. Nope…I don’t think it’s in my nature to really leap before I look.

So, OK, now that I’ve just turned 28 years old, what will be my keyword meditation for this year? In my mind, I feel like I’ve planted many seeds in the past year. They’ve been watered and are starting to sprout. I’m going to have to spend a good amount of time nurturing everything. Hopefully all of the growth will take me to higher places. So, with that in mind I think my keyword will be “elevation.” I’m hoping that all of the positive energy I’m trying to harness will bring me to higher and higher places.

When it comes to home life, I’ve already taken the big step of getting out there on my own. I now have my own place to retreat to, and a proper mortgage. Really, I don’t think there’s much that’s going to change in that area of my life. If there’s any change to be had, it will have to do with how I utilize this space. I’m not even talking about decor, but about how I can use this place as a springboard. I’m closer to the heart of Toronto than I ever have been before, so why haven’t I ventured downtown more often? There’s a theatre 9 stops down the subway line from me that offers improv classes. I’ve always wanted to go and try it out, so why haven’t I signed up yet? See? There’s much potential related to my location that I haven’t realized yet.

As for the career, man, things have become downright strange. Through a couple of twists of fate I’m suddenly the person on my team with the most of experience. To the people that I know that are aware of my situation, I tell them that if that’s true that means that things are screwed! On one level that’s something I say jokingly to get a laugh out of people. However, secretly, I think I really mean it. Currently, I don’t think I have the confidence to meet the new challenges that I will have to face. That being said, I have no intentions of backing down and running. I know no one who knows me will put any unreasonable expectations on me, so I will just have to hold my ground and do my best. These are some interesting times. I have no idea how the work landscape will change, but change will indeed come.

As I’ve mentioned in some recent posts, I’ve consciously been making an effort to get myself into a better state of health. In the past month, I swear, I have finally found the keys to the solution that I’ve been looking for all this time. Now it’s just a matter of keeping it up. For running, I’m now passing on what I’ve learned to other people. It’s really the least I can do to show my gratitude to the community that helped me learn to love running. I will do my best to share my enthusiasm. Soon enough though it’ll be time to try to reach for a new goal. I keep saying that I’ll start training for a full marathon in May, but will I have the courage to go ahead and do it? I have a couple of months to build up that courage.

Anyway, I guess that’s the trio of areas that I wanted to touch on in this entry. I don’t know what the year will bring, but it seems like success will depend on me having the courage to initiate or grab onto opportunities that are available but not directly in front of me. In all honesty, I guess I’m OK with that. Nothing like a little effort, right? Hopefully it will all take me to the new heights that I seem to desire.