Monthly Archives: December 2010

reverb10 – December 31 – Core story

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December 31 Core story.
What central story is at the core of you, and how do you share it with the world? (Bonus: Consider your reflections from this month. Look through them to discover a thread you may not have noticed until today.)

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Here’s the story as I see it.

I naively set myself back with a choice I made in 2002. 2010 was finally the culmination of the work required to make up for that choice as well as reaping other rewards that resulted from that work.

Up until now, life was more focused on what.

In 2010 I made a big leap in the way I view the world and what is important to me. Life going forward from here is going to be centered around living more consciously and deliberately per that world view.

From now on, life should be more focused on how.

I chiefly share it through this blog and through tweets. I share it with Missy all the time. I occasionally share it with friends in actual face-to-face conversations. I’d like to do more of that. I know a lot of cool people doing cool things; all are working through these same issues.

This #reverb10 writing exercise has really helped me crystallize these themes. I don’t know why this is surprising to me. I’ve had many of these thoughts swirling about in my head but haven’t been able to articulate them well. Especially not on command (i.e., when asked). I am really grateful for this particular bit of clarity as we transition into a new year.

For the month of December, I’m participating in a project called #reverb10. You can read the creation story yourself; the short version is that it’s a month-long exercise in reflecting on the year and manifesting what you want for next year. There’s a daily prompt to which you respond as you see fit. View all my #reverb10 posts.

reverb10 – December 30 – Gift

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December 30 Gift.
This month, gifts and gift-giving can seem inescapable. What’s the most memorable gift, tangible or emotional, you received this year?

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The most memorable gift was the outpouring of support from friends and family for our wedding. It was hard for me to be the center of attention like that (even though having a wedding is inherently putting yourself at the center of attention). Everyone’s words, both spoken and written, were so heartfelt and genuine. It was a wonderful affirmation.

The other most memorable gift was my intuitive reading with psychic medium Erin Pavlina. I’ve been reading her blog for years and had just decided to (ask Missy if I could spend the money to) pull the trigger on a reading when Missy told me she had planned to get me the reading for my birthday. Coincidentally (…?) this happened the day before my birthday. I have yet to devote enough attention to write about the whole thing, but I recorded the reading and have listened to it several times. It’s already shaped my perspective, influenced some decisions, and spurred some mental and emotional changes I’m trying to make.

For the month of December, I’m participating in a project called #reverb10. You can read the creation story yourself; the short version is that it’s a month-long exercise in reflecting on the year and manifesting what you want for next year. There’s a daily prompt to which you respond as you see fit. View all my #reverb10 posts.

reverb10 – December 29 – Defining moment

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December 29 Defining moment.
Describe a defining moment or series of events that has affected your life this year.

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I got married in March, bought my first house with my wife in July, and we got a dog in September. Major life changes. All in a row. Expensive, too; that’s enough of that for a while. But so worth it.

For the month of December, I’m participating in a project called #reverb10. You can read the creation story yourself; the short version is that it’s a month-long exercise in reflecting on the year and manifesting what you want for next year. There’s a daily prompt to which you respond as you see fit. View all my #reverb10 posts.

reverb10 – December 28 – Achieve

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December 28 Achieve.
What’s the thing you most want to achieve next year? How do you imagine you’ll feel when you get it? Free? Happy? Complete? Blissful? Write that feeling down. Then, brainstorm 10 things you can do, or 10 new thoughts you can think, in order to experience that feeling today.

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I’d love to end the year having a clue as to what to do for my next job. I know that I will be getting laid off in November or December of next this year (this year already!) and taking a pretty hefty severance package with me. So I need to be working right now to lay the groundwork for the next move and I’ve already decided that a career change is in order. Not sure what that next career is, though.

(It was announced three years ago that the drug manufacturing plant I work in would be closing at the end of this year. So, yes, I’ve known for three years that I will be getting laid off this year.)

I think I’ll be relieved more than anything if/when I get that clarity, but the chances are good that I’ll be second-guessing myself the whole way.

Things I Can Do

  • Research masters programs and prepare to apply if necessary.
  • Talk to people about their projects and interests to see what options I might have and how they might be able to help. I think that’s called networking.
  • Go ahead and get that LLC going; it will be useful in many ways no matter which direction I go.
  • Educate myself further in my potential areas of interest.
  • Get rid of commitments that are no longer a good match for me. (This needs to happen anyway.)
  • Do some work around making myself a vibrational match for the change.

Thoughts I Can Think

  • Whatever I do next will be right.
  • I am capable of doing whatever it is that I choose.
  • People want to help me.
  • I am ready.

For the month of December, I’m participating in a project called #reverb10. You can read the creation story yourself; the short version is that it’s a month-long exercise in reflecting on the year and manifesting what you want for next year. There’s a daily prompt to which you respond as you see fit. View all my #reverb10 posts.

reverb10 – December 27 – Ordinary joy

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December 27 Ordinary joy.
Our most profound joy is often experienced during ordinary moments. What was one of your most joyful ordinary moments this year?

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Our bedtime ritual.

We talk about our days. We apply chapstick. We smile. We hug. We kiss. We look into each others eyes.

Sometimes I mess it up by staying up too late reading or interneting or otherwise farting around, and then I miss it.

For the month of December, I’m participating in a project called #reverb10. You can read the creation story yourself; the short version is that it’s a month-long exercise in reflecting on the year and manifesting what you want for next year. There’s a daily prompt to which you respond as you see fit. View all my #reverb10 posts.

reverb10 – December 26 – Soul food

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December 26 Soul food.
What did you eat this year that you will never forget? What went into your mouth & touched your soul?

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TACO ZONE

I was in L.A. visiting Melle, Derrick, and Jason and finally meeting Anna. I requested a visit to the best taco truck there is. They are always talking about this joint. Taco Zone camps out at the edge of a grocery store parking lot. Food trucks are still a novelty here in the Twin Cities, so I was looking forward to visiting a relative establishment.

When I put these tacos in my mouth, I exclaimed out loud. I swore. I jumped up and down. I was incoherent. My brain’s pleasure centers blew up. Everyone around me was dancing around doing the same thing.

But, it’s just a taco, right?

Never underestimate the power of a real taco.

For the month of December, I’m participating in a project called #reverb10. You can read the creation story yourself; the short version is that it’s a month-long exercise in reflecting on the year and manifesting what you want for next year. There’s a daily prompt to which you respond as you see fit. View all my #reverb10 posts.

reverb10 – December 25 – Photo – a present to yourself

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December 25 Photo – a present to yourself.
Sift through all the photos of you from the past year. Choose one that best captures you; either who you are, or who you strive to be. Find the shot of you that is worth a thousand words. Share the image, who shot it, where, and what it best reveals about you.

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This is me in pajamas, with crazy hair and glasses, making baked goods in my kitchen. This photo was taken by Missy on November 7, 2010.

I’ve been thinking of myself as someone who is really a homebody. I’m realizing that’s because home is so damn comfortable. If home were meh, I’d be out and about more. But I like home. Nay, I love home. Your offer must be pretty compelling to get me out when there is nesting to be done. Baking. Painting. Snuggling on the couch while reading or computing.

Home life is great.

Pumpkin pop-tarts (homemade)

For the month of December, I’m participating in a project called #reverb10. You can read the creation story yourself; the short version is that it’s a month-long exercise in reflecting on the year and manifesting what you want for next year. There’s a daily prompt to which you respond as you see fit. View all my #reverb10 posts.

reverb10 – December 24 – Everything’s OK

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December 24 Everything’s OK.
What was the best moment that could serve as proof that everything is going to be alright? And how will you incorporate that discovery into the year ahead?

reflect and manifest reverb10

Really, every time I tell Missy something I’m afraid to tell her, and she responds not at all how I think she will – which is to say, her response is good, supportive, loving, etc. – I’m reminded that everything’s okay. She doesn’t always respond that way. In fact, the most negative reactions seem to come when I’m not expecting it. But, expected or not, the positive responses far outweigh the negative ones and so far we’ve been able to work through everything without much trouble.

The next couple years are going to be full of changes for both of us, so I’ll refer back to my strategy to always be honest with her, no matter what. Even with the small stuff. We both tend to live inside our respective heads so it’s been an interesting and rewarding process to open up to each other and we are definitely better off for it.

For the month of December, I’m participating in a project called #reverb10. You can read the creation story yourself; the short version is that it’s a month-long exercise in reflecting on the year and manifesting what you want for next year. There’s a daily prompt to which you respond as you see fit. View all my #reverb10 posts.

reverb10 – December 23 – New name

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December 23 New name.
Let’s meet again, for the first time. If you could introduce yourself to strangers by another name for just one day, what would it be and why?

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I don’t even know how to answer this question. I hate questions like this. Call me a party pooper or uncreative or whatever.

I like my own name just fine, thanks. I pass.

For the month of December, I’m participating in a project called #reverb10. You can read the creation story yourself; the short version is that it’s a month-long exercise in reflecting on the year and manifesting what you want for next year. There’s a daily prompt to which you respond as you see fit. View all my #reverb10 posts.

reverb10 – December 22 – Travel

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December 22 Travel.
How did you travel in 2010? How and/or where would you like to travel next year?

reflect and manifest reverb10

For 2010, on account of wedding and anticipated house expenses, we self-imposed a ban on discretionary travel. Except for the reward trip that I insisted upon. In spite of that, I got on a plane several times this year.

I got to southern California in April on my employer’s dime, which allowed me to visit friends there. I tagged along on Missy’s trip to San Antonio in July which allowed me to explore a city I’ve never seen before and visit a friend in Austin. We took a real vacation to Seattle in October which was just what we needed. It was just long enough to relax and enjoy the city at a non-frantic pace. It didn’t make much sense financially but made perfect sense for our mental health and well being. And then we visited my family in Detroit over Thanksgiving.

That was four trips in a year in which we didn’t really plan to travel. So this year was largely utility travel. I’m happy any time I can get out of town, though. I get antsy when I haven’t gone anywhere in a while.

I’ve already visited a lot of places I’d like to see domestically. There are still some national park type places I’d like to see and I’d like to make another visit to New Mexico or northern Arizona. Other than that, my wish list is all international. I’d also be down with something like a bike tour or a volunteering vacation, either domestic or international, maybe through local outfit Play it Forward.

My travel needs are an equal combination of time with friends, new experiences, and getaway time with Missy.

Specifically for 2011, I’ll be making my fourth trip in five years to Austin, TX in March for SXSW Interactive. I’ll be combining a volunteering vacation with a wedding in New Orleans in May. And that’s all that we have concrete plans for. In a perfect world we’d add a honeymoon type trip, a long weekend somewhere warm(er than here) in late January or early February, and something else fun and extended in the back half of the year. I’d also be amenable to converging upon a place with friends from all over for a nice long weekend. I’d passed on the idea of any more continuing ed for work for several reasons, but if something relevant pops up in a city that I like and where I know people (*ahem* San Francisco *ahem*), I’ll put in for that.

For the month of December, I’m participating in a project called #reverb10. You can read the creation story yourself; the short version is that it’s a month-long exercise in reflecting on the year and manifesting what you want for next year. There’s a daily prompt to which you respond as you see fit. View all my #reverb10 posts.