What do I want to accomplish in 2010?
(I’m long winded – if you get bored, be sure to skip to the end to enter the drawing for a free 8×10 Adventure Monkey canvas of your choice)
I feel like 2010 is a new beginning, a rebirth. I am not sure why this new year should be any different from any other of the 36 new years that I have experienced, but it is. I feel it. Some changes have occurred over the past year.
I have quit taking pictures just for the money and returned to the love of composing an image. I have gotten on my bike and ridden, far, for hours at a time, clearing my head and thinking through many things. I have decided to do something based on what I love to do and believe in. I have spent hours away from the hustle and bustle and gone to the middle of nowhere, experiencing nature. I have shown myself that I am capable of much more by riding my bike to places that seemed far away by car. I have decided to listen to my heart and follow my true instinct instead of what’s been hammered into my psyche over time by society. I have spent much time listening and not responding just to respond. I have seen my place in this world and what things are important and what things I can let slide. I don’t care if others think I am a slacker for those things I let slide. I see my kids as my legacy and one of the most important things that has been placed into my care. I see my wife as an artist that adds much color to this journey. I see my family and friends as a support system that I am also a part of supporting. I see this life as short. I see fear as something that keeps me from experiencing life fully. I see opportunity waiting.
All this has been growing inside me for years, but it all has come to a head this year thanks to a job that is excruciatingly frustrating, boring, and fruitless. It made me search for an outlet. I got on my bike and pedaled. This self powered forward motion has cleansing power. Soon my mind and my body were free of the toxins and worthless gunk that accumulated over the years. I haven’t been this excited about the future for a long time.
It would be nice to say I came up with a great idea that will solve all my problems while cycling the hundreds of miles I logged this year, but that’s not the case. I am simply ready to live. Ready to try new things again. Ready to make goals and the plans to achieve them. I have realized that life is short and I only live once. I want to leave it all on the field. I want to try and fail rather than having regrets for never trying. I want to inspire others to remember the dreams they once had and realize the only thing keeping them from achieving those dreams is fear. Fear is not real, it is in our minds, keeping us from living.
I know that sounds all nice and touchy-feely. I also know words mean nothing and action means everything. The only way to get somewhere is to take that first step. Every step I take no matter how small gets me closer to my next destination. If I take enough steps I will make it. I just have to keep the destination in mind. Taking steps blindly could take me farther away from my intended destination. These steps are most efficiently made with a plan. A goal must be set. A plan must be made. Steps must be taken.
That is exactly what I am doing. I am setting goals (destinations) and planning what steps to take to achieve these goals. No more generalities like, “This year I will get into shape” or “This year I will lose weight” or “This year I want to spend more time with family.” Those general goals are just a start, like me saying I want to head north. A specific plan (small steps) must be made or these goals (destinations) will never be met. These plans should have deadlines, dates and specific steps to take for success.
I am working on my list and plan to reveal it to the world in 2010’s first post. Then I will have the pressure of all of you checking up on me to make sure I am meeting my goals. I realize there may be setbacks and disappointments, but how we deal with failure is want makes us who we are. Let’s make goals and be real with ourselves. They don’t need to be huge, they just need to be there.
I get inspired by seeing other people’s goals and I want to inspire YOU too. So I am having a fun drawing to get you to help others by listing at least one goal you have for yourself next year that other’s can see. The drawing is for one signed Adventure Monkey 8×10 canvas print (approximate size, since some images don’t fit those dimensions). Here’s how to enter:
1. Go to my Adventure Monkey Facebook page
2. Become a fan (it boosts my ego and allows you to enter).
3. Go to THIS discussion page HERE and list at least one goal you have for 2010.
There will be a random drawing for a winner from the goal setters and you may pick any image you like for your winning 8×10.
STIPULATIONS: When I started the drawing I had 252 Facebook fans. I will draw a winner only if I get 252 responses. So come on, make at least one goal and put it out there for all to see! You may be that inspiration that one person needs to make that change next year!
Thanks and Feed Your Monkey! –Eric
Front at Sunset 2 of 2
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