Wow. Has it really been 4 months since I’ve logged in on my blog? (and 5 since I’ve actually written a post?)

Every few weeks I get a notification another hundred people clicked through my blog. It amazes me. I often wonder what brought them to my little corner of the Internet.

Which is why I’ve now decided to start putting something here.

I’m going to try logging on every day and posting something. Hopefully it will be informative, inspirational, funny or at least worth your time.

Over the past few months I’ve been busy trying to live my life. The other day I had an eye-opening conversation… it was at one of my favorite bars over live music and beer with a person who’s become a good friend over the last year and a half. It was followed by a nice trip down memory lane in the form of a visit to Kansas City.

The epiphany started Wednesday night. My friend and I were talking about how we were both single living in a great city with great jobs… yet miserable at times. Then he said something that will stay with me for a long time:

Look where we are, right now. We’re out on a Wednesday night - listening to great live music. Yes, we’re single - but there is no one for us to report to but ourselves. We can do what we want, when we want. We live in an amazing city with endless things to do and explore. There’s no reason we should sulk and be miserable. These are the days we’ll look back on and say ‘wow, we had a life to be envious about.’ 

That’s when I realized, everything in my life that frustrates me right now, is also a blessing. I am able to buy a full season of Twins tickets because I don’t have kids or a mortgage to pay for. I can decide to vacation on a whim because I don’t have someone to travel with or work a schedule around. I can go out late during the week and see the bands or try the restaurants I want to try.

I have a great job and a great opportunity to learn more and push myself harder. This past weekend, I visited Kansas City. I lived there (essentially) for 6 years. Four were in college - two were my first job. On my drive back to the Twin Cities, I realized I’ve changed a lot. Most for the better.

I’m open to more experiences. I’m happier. I feel more grown up and independent. I’m making more decisions because I want to do stuff. I’ve stopped caring so much about what others think. And, finally, it can be good or bad, I’ve started speaking up more often.

Hopefully, I’ll have the strength to continue this exploration of myself through the next year and not fall into old habits. And I promise you, I’ll be honest when I report in on what I’m doing.

If you have any New Year’s resolutions or revelations.. please share them. I think we can all learn from one another.