Let me just start by saying that 2014 was really good to me. I am happy that I cannot really think of anything that I would change about how I lived it, other than spending habits, but then I have always told myself those need to be changed.

I don’t have big plans for today, no raucous parties to welcome in 2015, but I think that is exactly what I need right now. My life isn’t in any kind of upheaval, but it does need some focus, and I think today is a good day to begin that action. There is always a little something more we can be doing, right?

I promised myself long ago that I would never stop learning, and it is high time I learn more about myself.

I know there are a lot of people out there rolling their eyes when they see “new year, new me” posts on whatever social media platform you’re perusing currently, and I too scoff at that notion, but after giving it a little more thought, I wondered if I should. I know that nothing magically changes when we grab a new calendar for the wall, when we turn to the next month, when we welcome the new week, when we wake up that next day, when we get off work, when the hour is finally done, but if I choose to not be a complete cynic I can see the beginning.

The beginning is what we do when we give ourselves a blank slate, something that we can do at any point in our lives. It doesn’t have to be a big thing like a new year, but why the hell not do it when a new year comes to us. A new year shows us that we survived, that the last 365 days got us here, and the next 365 can get us somewhere even further. It won’t just happen because we say it will, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen at all.

That being said, what am I going to do to make myself better in this new year coming towards us?

I am going to write more, whether it be in a journal, on here, or creatively, I needs it.

I am going to read more, my mind wants more information packed into it.

I am going to think more about what I eat, because I am not happy how things sit now.

I am going to be more active, so I can take care of the times when I don’t eat intelligently.

I am going to play around with the art supplies I purchased, maybe I can’t draw, but that doesn’t mean I can’t create.

I am going to fail at these things from time to time, I am going to feel discouraged about the direction I am heading, but that doesn’t mean I am going to scrap it all and think it a failure. It’s a work in progress, all of it always will be.

I am a different man than I was this time last year, and I hope I am a different man this time next year. I will always have my core beliefs and ways, but that doesn’t mean I won’t evolve and learn, and that’s the main thing. From what I can tell, any forward progress, whether it be one step or a thousand, is still progress. If I get enough steps in, then it won’t hurt when I stumble backwards a bit, so why not keep pushing forward.

2014 had the following highlights, all of which you can read more about on here. (shameless plug)

I paid off my student loans.

I went with mom to a reading from one of my favorite writers, Neil Gaiman, and was blown away.

I made a trip to California to see my sister and her family, much overdo.

I saw my Atlanta Braves play games in San Francisco and Seattle.

I went fishing with dad a few times at Ft. Peck, nothing like being on a boat with the old man and his dog.

I flew to Seattle and saw an old friend, met a dear friend there who drove me to back to Vancouver with her and her sister.

I spent twelve days in Vancouver, one of the best cities I have ever been in.

I renewed my love of cities, and the possibilities they hold.

I hung out with old friends, made new ones, and just was amazed at what a small world this planet can actually be.

I got to see some great movies, read some damn fine books, listen to fine tunes, and let it all spur me on with this forward movement I desire.

I was encouraged by some of the most amazing people I know.

I’ve taken in a lot, and I hope that I have given back just as much. (Not the usual kind of highlight, but oh well)

2015 is full of possibility, it is just up to me whether I add more things like those above, or if I get foolish and let life pass me by. I don’t think that I will let it pass me by, but I have big desires for what this next year, and life can hold for me.

I hope that you bring in 2015 in the perfect mode for you. If you’re with people, may they be the ones you love and that make you smile. If it is just you and your partner, may you share a night full of love, smile and possibilities for an amazing future. If you’re alone, may you feel the love the world holds for you, the promise that exists in all actions, and may you smile as the future unfolds.

I hope 2015 finds you working towards your goals, not beating yourself up when you falter, finding the energy within you to go on, and realizing the wonder of this thing called life.

2014 may have been great for you, or it may have sucked, but no matter which of these holds true for you, I hope 2015 is even better, and that it will continue on that direction for as long as you exist on this crazy little planet of ours.