The pilot light is not out...

2010 has arrived, and to be quite honest,  it feels good. I have entered this new year, new decade, new today with a renewed sense of action, purpose and identity. See, it goes back to 2008. That was a big year for me. In 2008, I bought a house, got my dog, wrote a book, turned 30 and really kicked off my speaking career. One would think the momentum of all of this would carry me right through 2009. That didn't quite happen. While I did remain busy and accomplished plenty by most standards, 2009 was somewhat of a year of recovery and rest for me. It was a year in which I could look inward, really get to know more about myself, my direction and of course, my dog Henry. In other words, I did a whole bunch on the inside, but not a ton on the outside.

      After a full year of just kinda sitting here, I'm ready to take action. I am feeling motivated around the areas of my health and fitness, financial wellness, career prospects and hey, might as well throw relationships in there! Why not? I have spend the first two weeks of this year really cleaning house, literally and figuratively in an effort to really commit some action to this motivation. Its not a flash in the pan sense of motivation because of a burning new years resolution, but more of a nurturing of the pilot light that has never been extinguished. I've felt this resurgence of passion, energy and faith in my body these past few weeks that I once may have dismissed as youthful naivety and fervor and which I thought might be forever gone.
      
You too have this pilot light, its one that I realize cannot be extinguished no matter how cold, wet, dark or trying the times may be, no matter how much we convince ourselves that we "used to" want something, care about something or be someone. I realize all it takes to find is some time, some clearing away of the life shit that we layer on or hide behind, and a willingness to look.

I did just that and I have come up with a plan. To reach some of the goals I set for myself a long time ago, that still remain, I've made some commitments. Here are a few of them.
    
I will :
1 . Use my knowledge of health, fitness and nutrition to be in better shape.
2.  Increase my blog posting quality and quantity as well as my subscribers.
3.  Make at least $10,000 extra this year.
4.  Take Henry to the dog park more often.
5.  Increase my community service.
6.  Spend a few minutes each day learning something new.

This is just the beginning, but I wanted to put a few out there... maybe inspire you to make some commitments to yourself, find the fire inside and take action. These are not goals. My goals are much more specific and detailed. These are some of the general action steps I'm taking. I'd love to hear what you have planned for 2010 and beyond.

And if you cannot find your pilot light, feel free to light yours with mine... its burning bright!

This was me at my 31st bday. I got to be a Rockstar at Karaoke with a live band, back up singers and an audience who couldn't get enough! Try it sometime! I dare you!

Dorthy was right!

I've spent the last two weeks traveling quite a bit. First to North Carolina on a train, which, by the way, was a lot less adventurous and exciting than I had imagined. (Lesson learned, fly the friendly skies) Then I returned home for a few days of back to back meetings, late night events and packing and unpacking. I was then off to San Antonio, TX, a former home of mine, and current home of some family, whom it was very good to see. Talk about crazy households, they have a sweet puppy, a 1 and 1/2 year old genius child, a super dad, and an 8 month pregnant mommy. I applaud people with children, simply for their ability to keep the child alive or as my friend Jan put it, keep from killing their spouse!

I took a brief trip down to Laredo, TX to speak and train a group of outstanding Resident Assistant's at Texas A&M International University, which is practically in Mexico. The RA's were great, funny and really committed to helping their residents succeed. Leadership opportunities such as RA, Orientation leaders and SGA can be such a valuable experience for students who want the edge. I also applaud incredible RA's who make it their job to care.

During these trips, I couldn't help but click my heels and think, "It would be great to be home." Not that I wasn't enjoying myself, but moreso that I really enjoy my home. I missed my bed, my dog Henry all of which have apparently become my comfort zone. In education and training, we often motivate people to leave their comfort zone, but I now know that we also need to spend some time in it. That's why its called a comfort zone. What is your comfort zone? Where do you feel most at peace?