New Beginnings and Dares.

31 December, 2013

 

This year seems to have flown by. But every year seems that way, doesn't it? At least, every year as an adult. I remember thinking the years just dragged when I was younger... is it just me?

At any rate, twenty-thirteen is leaving us and twenty-fourteen can't wait to come in. There've been some good, some bad, some downright ugly and painful things that happened this past year. But some beautiful memories and hard-learned lessons, as well. 

I finally feel as if I've made LA home. Well, as much "home" as I can have as an Air Force Brat. Everything always feels temporary for me, but I've at least managed to settle in to a great job, gather a wonderful family of friends around me, and continue getting to know the city.


This year, the roomie and I kept a Jar of Good Things: every time something good or fun or lovely happened, we wrote it down and put it in the jar. Tonight, we're going to go through all those Good Things...and next year, the jar will be even bigger.


I'm looking forward to 2014. I feel as if I'm on the brink of a change...can't quite put my finger on it, can't put it into words...but I feel it happening, and am going to revel in it.


Last year, I made just two resolutions:
Be brave.
Say 'yes.'


Maybe I didn't say 'yes' as often as I should have, but I said it more than usual. Was I braver this year? I'd like to think so. I'm still standing after being hit a few times, so...yeah. Brave enough to continue on, to not give up...and to realize I can depend on others when I'm not so strong. That in itself is a brave admission for me.


I'm not going to make typical resolutions--going to the gym, losing weight, etc.


I'm going to continue on with resolutions that I know I can keep.

• Be brave.
• Say 'yes.'
• Say 'no' when you need to, and without guilt.
• Realize you deserve better.
• Continue to give and earn respect.
• Find a fun way to stay healthy.
• Write more--whether in your journal, posting a blog, or writing more poetry.
• Write--and send--proper old-fashioned letters. Use the crazy amounts of stationary you have, by golly!
•  Get back to the reason you're in LA: 
• Have meetings with agents and/or managers
• Get auditions
• Book the room, if not the gig!
• Be a friend to yourself.
• Weed your "friend" garden when you need to. If you're not in their life, why are they in yours?
• Dare to love.
• Keep yourself open to new experiences and people and places. Learn from everything and everyone.
• Let's tackle this insomnia, shall we?
• Organize your walk-in closet!
•  ...and for goodness' sake, back up your computer, already!

Here's to a wonderful 2014 for us all...

“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re Doing Something.”

~Neil Gaiman