12-13

Change.  Challenge.  Learn. 

2012 was a year of great success and great challenge for nearly everyone I am close to.  And yet we seem to all have emerged with a greater sense of self, of purpose and willingness to push forward. 

After the festivities, the toasting, the hugs and the texts to those who couldn't join us, there was the usual gawking and head-shaking as to what people would have to fight or cry about on a hopeful night, coupled with the wonderment as to why people need to be so amateur as to get completely obliterated and puke all over each other.  But then, on the walk home, it was time to start thinking and scheming. 

I love scheming.  2013 will surely bring with it new happiness, new challenges, new pain and new lessons.  I am of the age now where I believe in looking forward with excitement and squaring up to each new year and opportunity.  It is not enough for time to pass, one must live deliberately and with purpose, or what's the point?

Today, I had the chance to start my year by celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and going to view the original document.  It is a powerful thing to think back on that time in our history, see how far we have come, and realize how far we've yet to go as a human race.  Perfect to take notice of that on the first day of a new year and take some time to reflect on how to better participate in the human experience.  It is always worth remembering why it is imperative to treat each person with respect, dignity and genuine interest and understanding. 

I hope you wished those close to you well, embraced and said goodbye to all that occurred in the last year and are looking forward with excitement to what is to come.  It will be fun to chronicle. 

Peace.