2010 is all about better tomorrows and each day being better and happier than the last.  I started writing a reflection piece about 2009 and realized that everything I’ve learned in the past year has contributed to my outlook for 2010; specifically the way I want to be and the way I want to live my life, so cheers to 2010 I say!

Maybe because it is the year of the Tiger or maybe because 2009 was just a rough year and I’m looking for so much more, but I am confident that 2010 will be a good year, my year.  I’ve always believed in living a passionate life and doing things that make me happy but I haven’t fully followed through… which leads me to the things I need to work on to live the life I want to.

Appreciate the journey.

Somewhere along the way between coming out of university and working full-time has really changed the perception I have of myself.  It’s not that I’m not confident about who I am and my abilities to be successful but it’s more of an expectation that I have set hat I have yet to reach.  I am constantly feeling disappointed in myself because I want to get there faster without realizing that it’s just not possible sometimes.

2010 will be more about appreciating the journey to getting where I want to go and ultimately having more patience in the process.  I need to enjoy and learn from the experiences (good or bad) that will lead me to euphoria instead of giving myself a hard time when things don’t go exactly as planned.

Warrior > Worrier.

I worry too much because I care too much.  It’s probably not a bad trait but there is a big discrepancy between really caring and not giving a sh!t.  It’s not much of a problem when someone or something is on the other extreme since I do not spend more than a minute to ponder but if it is something important or I love you, then I’m crazy! lol

Seriously speaking I just need to chill and not let my emotions get the worse of me.  Be a warrior, strong and composed, instead of a worrier, flustered and annoyed.  If I find myself worrying, it’s better to take the initiative to control the situation versus letting the situation affect me.

Enjoy personal space.

Unlike most people, I do not enjoy personal time.  It’s not that I can’t be alone but I enjoy the company of people more than hanging out by myself always.  There’s nothing appealing about kicking back and spending time alone.  Even for something as simple as watching TV shows; I’d much rather watch with someone than not.

It’s not that I need to be glued to people but there is a comfort having someone there; and by there I mean in the house or just around in some way.  And although this hasn’t been much a problem in any way, I know that I need to be okay with it and turn that into time well spent by myself.  I think good things can come from it and I’ll probably be more productive.

2010 for me is about new experiences, new adventures and enjoying the journey in getting where I want to go.  So the challenge here is to find something that t I enjoy doing by myself and be okay that I am doing it alone because there’s no better way to get to know myself and find happiness within than to spend time alone. Will keep you posted!

You are your own rock.

Something was different about 2009. It was a life-changing year, different in every way and went through things that I never thought would come my way.  I am still very indifferent about how I feel about 2009 but in many ways I’m glad it’s over.

What I’ve realized time after time is that at the end of the day, you only have yourself to depend on and that your happiness needs to stem from your core.  If you depend on others for happiness you will be disappointed because that expectation is too much to be rested upon someone else’s shoulders.  It’s also not really fair to put that on anyone else!

Two things to remember that help is 1) accept the reality of the situation and 2) spend time on making things better not waste time moping over what you cannot change.  And so what it all comes down to is that you have to be the master of your life’s goals and overall happiness level.  If you want it, go get it, do it and make it happen.  Do not depend on others to make it happen for you (even though a helping hand is always appreciated).

“Everything is in your hands and your hands only.” @skanwar

I think having control of your own happiness is empowering and nothing and no one should ever come between that. So 2010, are you ready?  Because I’m coming for you!

Last but not least, I’ll share a few things that I’m looking forward to…

• Finding passion and happiness in my 9 to 5 (aka work)
• Skydiving (Summer 2010!)
• More traveling – cruise, NYC, etc.
• Seeing friends get engaged <3
• Boyfriend working in clinic
• DT Volleyball Championships (wooot!)
• Learning a new skill or improving a rusty one
• Planning/help to plan some kind of event
• Volunteering
• Rekindling old friendships
• Having countless girls nights in at best friend’s condo!
• Becoming a better chef
• and so much more!

And taaaaaaa daa, cheers to 2010!  Cheers to better tomorrows and backward smiley faces all around (:

xoxo

C

“ To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.”

- Anatole France

Thanks to @DoOneGood for sharing the Finish Strong movie link (www.finishstrongmovie.com) this morning, otherwise I wouldn’t have found this inspirational quote! I’ve even written it out and posted it on my bedroom wall!

Lately I’ve been struggling a bit mentally, thinking about life in all of its aspects.  If you’re thinking about whatever it is you are thinking about, be rest assured that you are not alone.  It’s easy to fall when you’re already downhill (been there, done that – check check check) but what you have to realize is that it always seems worse than what it really is.

Sometimes,  it’s just a mental thing; and today it finally clicked for me.

Stay tuned because the girl who shouts from the rooftops, walks through walls, and dances in the rain is back. (:

- C

Every time I make a decision, I’m sitting in the driver seat – I know where I’m going (at least I think so), understand the consequences, and feel good about being in control. But for whatever reason, almost right after the turn, I somehow always end up feeling like the passenger instead.

We’re always taught to look forward and pay attention  to the road ahead, but note that we are also reminded to check the rear view mirror every 20 seconds.  I definitely check my blind spots way too often then.

Pondering? Let’s continue together.

And yes, I am back…. attempt #3 at writing regularly.

Over the past few days I’ve had the opportunity to meet some incredible people and to say the least, I feel pretty lucky considering that this door opened very unexpectedly.  But maybe sometimes that’s the best part, when you’re caught off guard!

To keep this post short and sweet, what I’m saying is to simply take and make every opportunity something worthwhile.  I’m confident that I made a great impression but whether or not things turn out positively, I sincerely believe that it was definitely still a good experience.  It’s true, I am really drawn to passionate people… and yet again, I’ve been inspired (:

Happy Friday!

The toughest part of any situation is the unknown;  not knowing and not having enough information to make a decision.  When we know things we feel more at ease (good or bad), at least I do anyways. 

At the moment, it’s really hard not to think about the economic downturn and how it might affect myself, family or friends.  Recently, I’ve heard more than a handful of people that I know, who are seriously worried about their (finances and) job security to say the least.  For example, at the company my Mom works for, they are trying to automate a lot of processes that a few employees currently do by hand.  Is this an honest move for the company to become more efficient? Or is this a tactic for them to downsize?  Or maybe both?

Prepare for the Worse and Hope for the Best

Despite all these uncertainties, one thing’s for sure – we can only prepare for the worst and hope for the best”(my boyfriend told me this last night so thought I should share!).  We can either see the glass as half full or half empty – losing a job can be an opportunity to pursue another career, spend more time with kids, go on vacation; but losing a job also means having to find another one, be broke as joke, and live at home!

Either way, with companies cutting jobs like trees around the world – it’s not a pretty sight.