2011...

A new decade. Really? I can’t believe it. Nor can I believe that I am 28. Today I feel my age. Why is it at the new year that I feel my age because I didn’t get a year older, the earth did. Another year is gone. Does that mean that the earth is a year older, when does Mother Earth have a birthday…Earth Day? I admit this may be a dumb question and I may realize that when someone gives me the answer but right now it is a good question. Anyhow, most days I can say that I feel 18. My experiences/stresses the past couple years have aged me though...that cortisone running rampid through my blood hasn’t done much for me. Ben has come out here to visit DC, more or less to get out of the house (Josh’s house) with all the kids. Everyone asks which one of us it older. I mean he is only 2.5 years older than me and I do know that men age better than women because a wonderful thing called estrogen or the lack thereof but I am not menopausal nor have I had the effects of childbearing on my record yet. I guess this is kinda a sensitive subject for me.

I am not a fan of New Year’s resolutions because you make a goal at the new year and it lasts maybe a month or two and then it is forgotten. This new year I had a little New Year’s evaluation of my progress in one of my recent sleepless nights.

After my evaluation I have concluded:
I need an increased awareness of:
Foods I ingest. Where is comes from, how it is processed and the long term effects of what I consume. My body is the greatest physical gift I have ever received and will ever recieve. Only those that have known me for a long time understand when I say I have treated it like an old piece of luggage. Have you heard of Glycation? If not it may be something you want to look into among other health considerations.

Gratitude. Take more time to be self –aware. I have so many great things in my life. I think I disregard them on too many occasions. I want to be more grateful for my bounteous blessing.

Develop my passions. Which I won’t expand upon.

Solidify my foundation. Am I the foolish man that built his house upon the sand or wise man that built his house on the rock? Huh?. I think that I have moved a few times and right now I have blue prints of an amazing house, but haven’t started the digging. It is about time though.

Right well there a few other things but I’ll save it for another day.
I have 363 days of the year left. If this is going to be MY year and I need to make it count…every day.

I ended the year well. I passed both my Esthetics tests. I am doing good things, but I realize that not everything will come easy but has a price. i have to be strong.

Today I left DC for good, at least for the time. How do I feel now that today it is official? I was fine until the end of testimony meeting for some reason it hit me. Even if I come back and visit my friends, which I will, things won’t be the same. I hate goodbyes. I left the meeting early so I wouldn’t have to say anymore goodbyes, but Mike chased me out to the parking lot (after I thought I was clear to shed a few tears) to say good bye. Thank you to all my wonderful friends. I love you. I hate change, although I thrive on it as well.
Til we meet again!