Inspiration – Page 8 – HIKES & HAMSTRINGS

The Year of… 2011

Each year my siblings, cousin and I come up with a goal for the new year. It’s not quite a resolution, but more of a reflection on how we think the upcoming year will be, or how we would like it to be. For me…

2011 will be a year of taking control of and enjoying my current situation. It’s all about embracing the phrase: “Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, Today is a Gift, That’s why it’s called the Present”. I feel fortunate to have a great position in Calgary, and one that allows me to have a flexible schedule with generous vacation time. Over the past year, I’ve thought a lot about my next step or move- Another career, moving back to the GTA, or a new overseas experience. Although Calgary may not be ‘my city’, I began to realize that I didn’t do enough to take advantage of the many opportunities available to me, in the city, in the present. I hope to change this by counting my blessings and being more thankful of my current situation.

2010 was a year of being selfish- I focussed on myself by integrating fitness and health into my life (with which I will continue to go hard-core), and I put my well-being and awesomeness first :). This year, I’ll chip away at the black heart that makes up this cold-hearted Leo and just be more open to what’s out there, whether that encompasses friendships, relationships, or new adventures (but hopefully all of the above!).

Like the first and most important of Gretchen Rubin’s Twelve Commandments found in “The Happiness Project”, regardless of what happens in 2011, I’m going to approach this year just being me. Be Rick. I’ll be myself, do the things I like, and try some things I’ve always wanted to try. I hope it will be a good, positive and fun year.

Musical Pitch: Alicia Keys, The Element of Freedom

So I figured that one of the things I’ll blog about is music, and what graces my ears at that point in time. Since I live alone, and have no furniture (or barely any), and the fact that it tends to be really quiet, I pretty much have music going at all times. Or TV. I have a TV.

In general, I’m a huge fan of the divas, especially the black empowering ones. It’s no secret that I’m a huge Beyonce fan. Yes, I flew home to Toronto this past summer just to see her in concert. Yes, I’ve endured countless jokes by my coworkers on my obsession. My boss tried to get my attention once while I had Beyonce’s music blaring in my headphones. Eventually she gave up and told the people she was meeting with ‘Oh, he’s just listening to Beyonce.’ Yes, I have a poster/calendar of her in my office, complete with complimentary Beyonce stickers. So it now comes as no surprise that I’ve always been a fan of Alicia Keys as well. But I’ve now come to love this woman’s music as of her current studio album, The Element of Freedom. She has an amazing gift in her voice, and she’s a great pianist as well- along with her soul and passion, she produces some incredible music. I highly recommend it. On this album, she sings about what one may expect- moving on from a relationship, empowerment, love- but it has a little different of a feel. I can’t quite articulate how I get a different feeling from it, but sometimes that is the great thing about music- it’s all about how one feels when one feels it. Take my word for it though- it’s a great album 🙂

One of my favourite songs on the album is called ‘Wait Till You See My Smile.’ I think it’s good to highlight this song as 2010 begins since it complements the positive thinking and optimistic resolutions that I feel characterize this year for me. ‘Wait Till You See My Smile’ talks about enduring hardship, but standing strong after that experience and coming back in full force; showing the world that you’re ready for it once again… or it better be ready for you :). My favourite line of the song: “‘Cause you’re stronger, and you’re better, and you’re ready for whatever, Sing!” And I like to sing. Sometimes like a diva. And what a positive message to internalize and project. When you’re ready to show your smile, the world will be watching :).

Dear 2010… Welcome!

So I figured that after not blogging for quite some time, I would start getting back into the swing of things. In fact, I remember when I used to do a lot more blogging (while living abroad, for example), that I really felt that typing the words was very therapeutic. Maybe it’s because I have my new MacBook Pro, with the fast sounding ‘clicks’ of the keyboard, that just makes me want to write again. The most significant change to the blog- I’ve changed my blog title to: “SMOKES is OUT and ABOUT!”, for this signifies that things have changed a bit for me personally (not that it ever really changed, but I’m starting this new decade with the support of family and friends :D); I’m proud of the way things have gone up until this point in my life, but I’m ready for a little more that will focus on the personal side; and I am up for the new and exciting opportunities that may present themselves, either here in Calgary, or wherever my travels may take me. Random interruption photo: Me ice skating at the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto on January 2, 2010. This is probably my first really photogenic photo of the new decade, so I feel that it’s appropriate to post it. It was bitterly cold, yes, and although hot chocolate was free, the answer is no, all three of them weren’t for me.

So what does 2010 hold for me? I hope to make new friends and work on the ones I’ve already established. I hope to be a little bit ‘selfish’ in a way, focusing on my health and the opportunities that cross my path. I want to be in control of my finances and more in control of my emotions. I tend to dish some logical black/white advice when need be which can come across as pretty cold-hearted sometimes, lol. It turns out, however, that when the emotional tables are turned, I cannot follow this advice at all! This cold-hearted Leo ain’t so cold-hearted anymore. So although there will be many emotional ups and downs, I hope to embrace those feelings, but remain the optimistic and positive person I try to be, and ride through the turmoil with my head held high barf to the cheese…. But it’s true. And as most years include a trip of some sort, this one is no different, and I hope to take at least one vacation to somewhere new in the coming year.

So in my opinion, this year should shape up to be quite an interesting one. Already starting the year is a brilliant idea entitled ‘theDOTproject’ (see link at the side for my bro’s blog), and my decision to ‘BRING IT’, courtesy of Tony Horton and the P90X Beachbody team. Damn you Tony Horton for making your 90 day boot camp so intense!!!! But hey, no pain, no gain. Barf on the cliche. But if you don’t know me by now, I love my cheese and cliches, and never like to let a good joke die prematurely, WOOT!