Another one bites the dust

That is what I keeping thinking today, with it being the end of the year and all. It is weird, but it doesn't feel like there is this "line" that delineates the start and stop of something. Doesn't life just continue to move onward, notice I don't say forward. Really, it just seems to keep moving and sometimes it moves you forward or backward or side to side.

Well, looking back at the year, I can say this has been the most challenging year of my life. But also maybe the most rewarding too. Decisions were made to start or stop various aspects of my life or maybe I should say characteristics of my being. Experiences ranged from jubliant to miserable, and everywhere in between. New friends were made, old friendships reinvigorated, and some friends lost. It really is all about the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. Maybe that should be the name of the self-help book I could right....mmmm.

People are always telling you to focus on the positives. I feel that I have done that, but we still need to take stock of those negatives and figure out what to improve upon. However, I want to focus on my positives from this year.

-Expressing myself through speaking or written word. I joined Toastmasters which has been really a great learning environment. Also, I started this, blogging; and I most recently started to keep a "Gratitude Journal" which has morphed more into a regular journal of sorts. Just a place to collect my thoughts.

-Learning to listen to my body/ soul. This really relates to starting the practice of yoga. I really did feel quite alive when I did, unfortunately I have been remiss lately on continuing my practice. I will get back to it. Meditation has been good for me as well. Now, for me meditation has been more about reading and learning and applying little parts to my daily life. I feel that I am more inclined to understand another person's position in life, issues, or general being.

-Trying to help others with no expectation of reward. Volunteering has been a great experience for me. Networking with other folks in the job search has done wonders for my karma. I really do feel that we rather give out advice to others than take it ourselves. I noticed that alot of the last year from myself. I continue to try and take my own advice. I am analytical but it is tough when you throw in the emotional aspect of 'this is my life'. Networking has lead me to meet some great people that I would otherwise have passed by. I am grateful to all of them for various reasons; made me laugh, made me think, made me food...you know who you are.
My brother was/is going through some personal issues and seems rutterless. So, I decided to write to him to see if I could help. While, his response was not what I had hoped for, it was more important that I attempted to reach out. Sometimes that is all we can do.

-Witnessed my friend Tim and his fiance Danielle get married. It was just a wonderful time and event. Also, always good to see old friends. I came to realization that I need to reach out more to my old friends.

- All of the new friends that I meet this year. You have truly made my life more fulfilling with your compassion, insight, and knowledge. I truly am lucky to have meet you all. To old friends that I have reconnected with thru 'virtual networks', I thank you as well. I don't like to say 'misery loves company' but the idea that we all have issues to deal with and we can learn from others or lean on others is a very warm thought to keep in our minds.

So, with all of that rambling. I do wish everyone continued success in whatever you do; love, family,friends, and even work.

thx.

simple ingredients

you hear that all the time from the great cooks. keep it simple, use fresh ingredients, and let their flavor speak for the dish. i just re-learned that today. ok, maybe i was reminded by my aunt's thanksgiving dinner.

but today i re-learned that chapter. i was just going through the fridge and cooking up some produce before it went bad. i put a chop on some carrots and just softened them down in some butter and a little salt. fantastic. so simple and so good. i sometimes tend to get to fancy and add all sorts of 'wild' flavors to my food. this is the guy who on the next burner made shredded potato patties, where i included a little horseradish. they were good, but in a way not the simple flavor of the carrots.

so, what the hell am i trying to say? in a long and drawn out metaphor, just keep it simple. this works for all aspects of life. dealing with work... keep it simple. dealing with family...keep it simple. dealing with the opposite sex...keep it simple BUT we know that is always easier said than done. actually, i think we confuse simplicity with how uncomfortable the situation may make us feel. but, if you trust the ingredients and your technique it will work out... in the long run. isn't funny how it is always the long run?

later.