Well. We made it ... 31 straight days of blogging some thoughts, ideas, directions, and reflections of 2011. T-minus 60 minutes on the East Coast, T-minus 2-hours here in the CST. Personally, 2011 won't be one of my favorite years to remember, outside of receiving a fancy-looking piece of paper from Indiana University. So ... without further ado (and before I have a beer to celebrate 2012 ...)
Saturday, Dec 31: Setting Intention
What one word describes your year ahead, how you'll approach it, what you wish it to be?
Since publishing my last blog entry early yesterday, I've been chewing about a singular word that will hopefully describe what I'm hoping 2012 will bring my life. After using and abusing Thesarus.com to hit upon that perfect word, I kept coming back to one of the first words I thought of, and, while it may not be perfect word, perhaps it can become the perfect word.
"Devote"
While I believe there is such a thing as luck, devotion to one's actions ... and one created his/her own luck. But let's expound a little more on this word.
DEVOTE: I'm devoted to getting employed. Not only that, I'm devoting myself to making sure my what I'm doing makes me happy. I'm devoted to finding that job that makes understand the statement "Do what you love to do, and you'll never work a day in your life." Maybe that's why I've struggled, but let's be honest, I'm not a spring chicken anymore, and I personally think I've earned the right to think about employment that way.
DEVOTE: 2 hours, 35 minutes. 155 minutes. 9300 seconds. I'm devoted to that time. In 2009, I completed the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon in 2 hours, 48 minutes. It was my first Mini under 3 hours. Back then, I was devoted to that goal. In 2010, I devoted myself to not only beat my sisters in the 500 Festival's 5K, but also do it in under-40 minutes. Mission accomplished (38:22). I'm registered for the 2012 MiniMarathon - and my goal, my devotion, is very simple: 2:35.
DEVOTE: I'm devoted to start dieting properly. I need to. I have to. My goal - 200 lbs. That's a big stretch for me, so perhaps 210-215 is more realistic. Look, I used to weigh 300 lbs., and in the span of 2 years, I went from 301 to 194 lbs., and my doctor told me to gain weight, as my system and body structure couldn't/shouldn't take that. But, I'm devoted to at least try.
DEVOTE: I'm going to devote myself to being the best person I can be. I like wearing my heart on my sleeve. I like being able to speak my mind, even if I've fallen off the turnip truck in my thoughts. I don't want to go inside during life's stormy weather, but rather learn to dance in the rain. I want people to look outside a "robust" exterior, and see the person I really am, but you know what ... maybe that's another devotion I need to make in '12 - from a personal perspective, just be yourself. Stop trying to be the person everyone wants me to be.
****
With that said, the Smallbox #ThinkKit11 blog project is now complete. I hope everyone enjoyed the run. I hope I get to do a few proper blogs in the near future. And - if any of you have any leads in Indianapolis for Usability, User Experience Design, Information Architecture, or some mix thereof ... well ... </raises hand> </ReadyToWork>
Peace!
