Tag: New Year

The Year of… 2012

So here we are. Another year has somehow managed to fly by. Each year, my siblings, cousin and I try to come up with goals for the upcoming year. Not so much resolutions, which oftentimes are forgotten within the first few weeks, but more of a reflection on the past year and what we think the New Year will bring. How do I want to approach the next 365 days? 
2011 was all about embracing the phrase: “Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, Today is a Gift, That’s why it’s called the Present”. It was a great year in which I seized many opportunities in Calgary, while continuing my love of all things travel. I journeyed to Hawaii, Vegas and throughout Europe. I experienced things that I’ve always wanted to experience- skydiving, seeing lava from a volcano, rock-climbing, scuba diving, and an open-door helicopter ride. I ran my first half-marathon and realized that I love hot yoga. I pushed myself physically and tried to stick with my fitness goals despite some setbacks. I turned 30 without hesitation, and I truly believe that I’ve now entered what will be one of the best decades. I discovered that I have an absolute love and admiration for the outdoors, and the awe I feel for nature is akin to my understanding of a spiritual experience. The peace and connectedness when I’m hiking in the mountains and surrounded by incredible majesty add an interesting perspective on my day-to-day activities. What is important to me exactly? How do I see what’s important when the daily routine repeats itself? Who are important to me and how do I let them know that their presence in my life inspires me to be better and do better? Without the support and encouragement of friends and family, I do not think I would be trying to experience and live life the way I do. “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing” (Helen Keller). My own experiences, and the ones I’ve shared with family and friends, have helped solidify my relationships and strengthen those bonds. I’m so appreciative of that and I do not take it for granted. 
So what will 2012 bring? Well, I plan to have a similar approach to life this year. Seize moments. Take risks. Embrace opportunities. Push myself because I can. But this year will be different. This year, I want to be inspired by love; love for the things I choose to do, the experiences for which I yearn, and the relationships that are so important in my life. I think it will be a year of changes, and though I’m not fully aware of what those changes will be, I feel incredibly excited and happy with the possibilities and the unknowns. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous at the same time, but I hope to be more introspective as I try to understand and trust the emotions I’ll be feeling. That’s not an easy task for a self-proclaimed cold-hearted Leo who’s not really all that cold-hearted! Whatever the situation is, I want to dive in wholeheartedly and trust that a happier, stronger me emerges. However the year unfolds, I know it will be a good and positive 2012. 

The Year of… 2011

2011-1

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.