A second try. Thank-you, more-please

I found myself wishing through last year that I had kept up on this blog. I had numerous ideas that could've been hashed out on here. And so I'll start again. This year, I plan to be a little more lenient, and write when the idea strikes me, taking notes if I am away from the computer. I'll try to judge my content less, and write a less imposed on by my inner critic and neigh-sayer. 

And as a start: a much abbreviated list of thinks I am grateful for to kick off the new year. But first! A little introduction to the idea: I read a few months ago and can't remember where that a common trait of "happy people" (not even gonna talk about that phrase) is gratitude. Ever since then I've been trying it out as best I can remember (it's tough!), and what I am learning is that when done sincerely, being grateful for little everyday miracles and conveniences is helpful two fold. It not only made me appreciate what I have (which in turn helps diminish that gnawing sensation of always wanting), but it also helped me stop and live in the moment a little more (another "happiness" trait).
And so with out further adieu and in no particular order a list of what I am grateful for:
-Music that energizes me
-Music that commiserates with me
-family, love and support
-dogs, the true model of human behavior
-close friends (even those far away)
-the freedom to be who-ever I want
-my education
-my car
-hot lattes
-sunsets
-sunrises
-nights sleeping under the endless stars
-my employment
-adversity and the growth it forces
-mountains, the challenge and the harsh beauty
-my body, fully functioning and about as healthy as I could hope for
-showers
-travel, my trip to Europe, Shasta, Stratford, Mexico...

All I can ask of the new year is More Please!

Brave(ly)(ry)

Bravery: (noun) Courageous behavior or character.
Generally this word conjures to mind a fighter, a knight, an archaic value of risking life or limb against fear an unfavorable odds. Lately, and I don't remember the trigger, I've been connecting it to a way of living. Living bravely, doesn't bring to mind the life of a daredevil or an adrenaline junkie, at least for me. It suggests a life lived in chance, one that is not afraid to give up the security of a steady job, a house, a home city where everything is familiar. Bravery in life is to continue to look for challenges, to monumentally change directions, to move, to try something at which you are almost sure to fail, and to throw everything you have at it.
Clearly, this life isn't for everyone, and our society would fall apart if many people choose to live this way, and so I feel that its only fair to note the courage it takes to buy a house, settle down, sign a contract, plan out and commit to a direction in life.

Education Motivation

I was recently pondering over my life's course since high school; looking at the choices I made at the time, verses the goals I had then, verses what I know now and my current goals in life. I graduated high school and went straight into college, though I don't know why. Looking back I never really considered an alternative like taking a year off, or working for a while, or just forgoing college all together. I went because that's what middle class kids do.
Looking back even further,  I cared hard about my grades in high school they were my gateway to college, sadly though, I cared a lot less about absorbing what was taught. This is a lot more often the case than we care to admit.
I remember that going into high school, I knew wanted to be a marine biologist, study dolphins on a boat in the oceans. That all changed in the first year. I simultaneously had my interest in biology quashed by my boring freshman biology class, and had my interest in technical theatre careers peaked by the extensive work I did for out high school shows. So I decided I would do that with my life instead.
Undergrad only served to narrow my career path to lighting design.

In retrospect I can't remember making a conscious decision, they were simply paths I fell into. I end up wishing I hadn't been allowed to choose so early. I feel like some wandering would have provided insight into a path towards happiness,  or at least opened my world view beyond the narrow range of a high school kid from a small town. I think its devastating that young people are so often asked, "what do you want to be when you grow up?"

Step One: Write in the blog...

In homage to new years resolutions all around this country I have already stumbled at mine. You may have noticed that I failed to make an entry yesterday, and while I have all sorts of excuses, including falling asleep watching tv on the couch at 9:30pm, this is still a little sad.  I remember reading somewhere that these little stumbles or failures are the reason that most people give up on their resolutions, so I'm opting for being flexible, but persistent, and most importantly human. To make up for yesterday's fumble, I'll write two today, and this blurb doesn't count.

A Resolution

One of my resolutions is to write consistently. I find I have a lot of thoughts that run through my mind, my hope is this is a place to sort them out, or at the very least pin them down, save them for later.

My other resolutions for the year include climbing destinations: Russel and Shasta, and an extended face climb.I also plan on a few month long experiments, like eating for 2 dollars a day, a month without alcohol, and a month without facebook or texting. Perhaps a tattoo?
This will serve as my journal for those adventures as well.

I hope any readers will feel comfortable to engage and participate with question and suggestions.

Happy New Year!