Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in my own personal growth, as a person and the man which I want to be. Not to say that the last 38 years should be cast aside and disregarded, as each moment has helped me to get to where I am now in life.  I have a great family, a carrier that gives me purpose, hobbies that I am passionate about, and a partner that I love sharing every moment of life’s journey with and care deeply for. This new chapter is not about “A New Life” or “A New Me for 2021” it’s about refining and perfecting the man I want to be, over the next twelve months.  

There was no hustle and bustle during the holidays this year, which has given me time to think about the year we have just endured. I don’t profess to be a philosopher and won’t give the delusion that I am.  My observations were that although many people wish to best forget this past year, they have the feeling it was mostly doom and gloom.  I do see a silver lining and some good that has come from it.  There have been trying times for all, and some have seen more than their share. Hardship, uncertainly, loss, and fear at a global level have been difficult for so many here and abroad. But I also see that life has slowed down from the fast pace world we live in. We are afforded the opportunity to spend time with our family and connect in a multitude of ways with our distant family and friends. We have seen that we can live without tangible items that are not essential, and if we look deep we have seen people caring for other people in many different forms.   

Surprisingly still today after all that history has shown and taught us, there is no shortage of examples of hatred in the world [and even in our own back yard]. Racism, corruption, and bigotry are more prevalent now and sadly these horrible things are fueled by current events unfolding, and the notion that social media is at everyone’s fingertips.  I think it best to provide no means for these negative aspects to recant or give a stage to fester hear. It is to say that no one will forget 2020 anytime soon, and let us hope this history books capture it correctly for what it has been.

All of this has given me a new sense of what I want to accomplish and what my goals are in life.  I can’t say I have it mapped out to the letter yet, but I have a good grasp on the direction I want to go and the plan is fluid.  During this last year, I stayed the course, endured, kept my head above water, and adapted to the changes that were going on. Now as I move into the New Year, I have stood on the promenade and see the areas that I wish to improve upon and the achievements I want to be part of. I am hoping that 2021 will be filled with adventures, and great memories as I refine my ability to be a better man.  I know there will be challenges, struggles [one is keeping up on my ability to write here about it], and setbacks along the way that is just part of life.  But I am looking forward to broadening my own horizons and polishing this stone into an emerald.

Until we chat again my friend