The end of our Gregorian charted year always brings about promises of reform for the following twelve months. Unfortunately most of the promises we make to ourselves ring hollow after a short period of time. We tell ourselves lies, possibly to cover up the deep-seated unhappiness that so many suffer. We know that there is a better purpose for ourselves and our lives, and the good old New Years Resolution is the best medicine to alleviate that pain.
I resolve to eat better and exercise.
I resolve to be nicer to my co-workers.
I resolve to give more to charity.
And all the rest of the crap we swear we will do. Very few of us actually mean it, we say it to make ourselves feel better and quiet the inner voice that is telling us to that we could be so much better.
Two events happened this week that have weighed on my mind and have made me more determined to follow my path toward freedom and simplicity.
If you haven’t seen Ben Beedlove’s simple and poignant video outlining his cheating of death, you can watch it here. Ben lost his life, but not without being an inspiration to thousands (or more). The second event was not as tragic, but just as profound to me. A friend of mine had a heart attack. A friend that is two years younger than me. When I asked him about it he response was straight forward and honest: “scared the shit out of me”. It took a life threatening situation for him to understand what Ben knew and I am understanding more each day. We have very little time, and will never get one moment of it back once it’s gone.
These events have allowed me to comprehend that resolutions are worthless. It is said that rules are meant to be broken, resolutions are the same. I will not make resolutions for the new year; I will make decisions. My time on the spinning mass of water and dirt is too short for anything less than a hard, fast decision. A decision is final and not negotiable.
I have decided that my focus and pursuit of simple freedom has not been good enough.
I have decided that consumerism is no longer part of my way of living.
I have decided that fear will not stand between myself and where I want to be.
I have decided that I will become the person my dog thinks I am.
Those are my decisions, and 2012 will chart their course.
May all your decisions be the right ones.
Edit:
Literally 30 minutes after publishing this, I read this great old post by Julien Smith that has made me more firm in my decisions!
As I wrote in a recent blog post… “if not, when?”
I’m with you Brian! Determined to do what I gotta do, excited about taking giant steps, terrified about the changes ahead. Though we all ultimately walk life’s path alone, this is sure one time I wish I had a hand (or a dozen) to hold. Big stuff!
Nonetheless, nothing is holding me back this year!
I wish 2012 and beyond brings you everything you want and more. And if you need me just shout….I’m here
Oh and awesome video! Death isn’t the end though… just a transition. I have a feeling there are other spinning mass of water and dirt just waiting for us to explore them once we’re done here!
Thanks for the Julien Smith post… was really good!