Welcome to 2017

Hello everyone.  It has been about 2 1/2 months since my last blog, and boy a lot of things have changed.  Before I get into that, however, I want to make notice of a trend I have seen on social media this last week.  It seems that a majority of people are moving away from resolutions because "we're all going to the same assholes in 2017 as we were in 2016".  I have to disagree with that sentiment.  YOU might be the same asshole, and that's great for you, but do not project your own lingering on everyone else.  There are those of us who are actively trying to better ourselves.  The point of the new year is that we have the excuse to look at the world through new eyes.  Everything is possible.  If you are a sports fan, every season begins with hope and optimism.  "This is our year" they'll say.  Don't dash that optimism before it even begins.  Nurture it, let it grow.  You have the rest of the year to be miserable.  Is it so much to ask that for one day we are allowed to believe that anything is possible?

One of the biggest changes we're going to see in 2017 is we will have a new President for the first time in 8 years.  That in itself is a HUGE change (pun intended).  Many people already feel that we are doomed.  I am trying to maintain a position of cautious optimism.  I am a little disheartened by the many voices of hate on both sides of things as this shows just how divided as a country we are.  And what is it that divides us?  Color?  Religion?  Financial status?  Which animal represents your political party?  Take your pick.  I am hopeful that some of these voices and their hateful rhetoric will tone down over the coming months and we can attempt to grow and continue moving forward.

So that's the worldly part of this.  Now for the personal part.  And here's where I truly disagree that 2017 will be the same as 2016.  I left my job in October and moved back to California.  I had been living in Colorado for 13 years and it was time to make this change which was long overdue.  I have enrolled at Shasta College for the Spring 2017 semester.  I am expecting a job offer from Shasta County.  Over Thanksgiving I got a membership at Fitness 19 and, with a few exceptions, I have gone every day for the last month and a half.  Over the last 3 weeks I have been going at 5 AM during the week in preparation for receiving the job offer and starting school.  I am going to give meal prepping a try, though I don't know how long that will last.  I have identified some very clear and specific goals for myself, and for the first time in a long time I feel I am in a good place physically, mentally, and emotionally to accomplish them.

I do not anticipate that I will change my opinions drastically.  My personality will still be the same.  My beliefs, morals, values, will likely be as resolute as they have always been.  But I do not believe that is the point of making resolutions.  The point is not to dramatically shift who you are.  The point is to continue to grow and evolve in order to be better.  Whether that's to eat better, to get into better shape, to learn a new skill, to take a relationship to the next level, it is all in the interest of self improvement.  Evolution is a marathon and most of these things take time to achieve.  I believe that in 2017 I will be able to start to be the best version of myself.  So in the spirit of goodwill, I begin 2017 with a message from Bill & Ted.  Be excellent to each other.