The Journey 2009

The following is more for my own sense of placement in this 'Verse than it is for enlightened reading. Gonna take a few moments to reflect on my various course headings over the past year and see which ones moved me further down the path and which ones left me standing cold. This 'taking stock' is essential for living honorably in this life. One must bravely face both the positive and negative energies that constantly surround us if one wishes continued growth for the soul.

Some of this won't be pretty, but it'll all be honest. Brutally honest, for that's the only way I roll in this life. Spend enough time in the shadows and you will either eventually crave the sunlight, or forever embrace the darkness. I chose the path of light, so I must accept all that goes with it, and that includes shining a light upon all of my darker moments.

So here we go, one final dance with all the moments that made up the year 2009 for my traveling soul...

I've had the privilege of traveling out of state no less than eight times this year (5 to Southern CA, 2 to FL, and once to IL), and those experiences have given my adventurist spirit some much needed nourishment. I had been contained in one place for too long, so it was wonderful to explore a bit more of this 'Verse and remind myself of the view outside the box. Further travel will certainly be on my list in 2010.

I lost the woman I wanted to marry in this life. Due to her inability to communicate effectively, she would self destruct a healthy relationship and crash our ship before I had a chance to grab the controls. I'm still kicking around small pieces of wreckage and wondering why people can't honestly express themselves when they know life is too damn short.

I have maintained my healthy lifestyle over the past year, and am still in the best mental, physical, and spiritual shape of my life. I am extremely proud of this accomplishment, and will continue to live honorably in the 'now' for 2010, and beyond...

On the flip side, due to my overwhelming commitment to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, I had inadvertently become a 'self righteous prick' (as a former friend phrased it) and began telling other crew members how they should live their lives. As a result of these judgemental actions, I would lose three crew from my ship before I finally realized what I had been doing. I've addressed the problem, yet the bridges are still smoldering embers. Time will tell if they can one day be rebuilt.

I became an uncle for the second time in my life this year. My sister gave birth prematurely to her son, and as a result, he would dance on the fine edge between this world and the next for several stressful months. Finally, the energy would shift favorably for my family and now the little guy is happily enjoying his first holiday season. I am grateful in 2010 that I will finally get to formally meet him and welcome him to this amazing planet.

I came up with no less than three screenplay ideas, but have yet to complete any of those (or any other) projects this year. I am an artist, so therefore I will act accordingly in 2010.

On the flip side (again), I've started this blog as an outlet for my creative and self defining musings. I am proud of this creation, and look forward to adding to it even more in the coming year.

Finally, as I sat and watched "Up In The Air" on Christmas day, I realized that I had spent the last couple of years emptying my 'backpack' of everything that made up my old, not so honorable, life. While I am grateful to no longer bear the heavy weight, I also noticed that it had become far too quiet in my world. Perhaps it is time to get a little noisy again. Therefore, 2010 will be the year to refill the 'backpack' of my redefined life.

I will travel light, but I won't travel alone. I follow my creed:

Dare to dream.
Fight to feel.
Live to die.

After all, a ship don't fly without a good crew to keep her in the air.

Happy New Year.