Out with the old.

In with the new...year.

This time of year is common for reflection and projection. Did you get to travel to the places you wanted, or spend time with all the people, or read those books or learn an instrument or perfect the 2nd language? No? Well, why the hell not? What do you think inhibited those actions? Are there ways that you might be able to incorporate those activities into your life in 2012? What about in the first half of 2012?

Ever since my birthday and my Nana's departure day, last August, I've been on this huge kick about making the most of my time. Nearly every day, I'll start off by writing down at least three things that I feel are the most important to me that day. I think it's okay to start off vague, but usually I end up getting very specific. Sometimes I draw pictures or work on an existing poem, or makes lists about errands to be run. Basically, I just take about 10 minutes to prioritize my day and figure out what's going to help propel me through its web. Many times what ends up happening is that I accomplish most of what I aim for that day, but if there is something that lingers, I put it at top priority for the next. I don't get down on myself if I cannot cross everything off, but instead, I feel rewarded with all of the things I was able to do and soak in the surprises that I wasn't expecting.

For the first time in many new years, I am excited about the resolution and goal-setting aspect. The other day, I attended a workshop that helped me reflect on this past year, with regard to the seasons and time of year when significant events occured. The I made projections about 2012 and linked them to the seasons, with words and pictures, using a circle to navigate the year. I was so surprised to realize how much I had accomplished last year and it helped re-assure that it's okay to be ambitious this year! A couple of mine include finish my first novel, ride inside a hot air balloon, participate in projects to help improve my community, continue to be available to friends and family, hosts workshops to share other's knowledge about healthy and sustainable ways of living and rejuvenate the USPS by means of getting people to hand write more letters!! I have many more things I'd like to do this next year, but I think it's okay to start out small and expand once you get into the groove of a new project.

Last year, I experienced a lot of loss, but not just with death of family members. I am sure many people experienced similar loss and know what I'm talking about. It's often not something we can prepare for, and loss is bound to happen in this coming year, but I am grateful for what I have gained from personal grief that transformed into personal growth.

If you internalize what it is that you're hoping to gain from this brief blip of a life, then you're one step ahead of the game. Share it with your friends and help them become the best they can be, too. We're all in this together and I'm in it for the long haul!

Happy New Day 2012!

Look No Further Than Local

Sorry Mom, I will always call Norman, OK my home.

Norman, Oklahoma reminds me of a lot of different things. It makes me think of the early years when I was a student and how excited I was to move away from home for the very first time. I had such a great experience as a student and joined a plethora of clubs and organizations like the rowing team and Alpha Phi Omega. I finally declared social work as my major and gained an entirely new family over at little ol' Rhyne Hall. I don't think you can't help but grow up during those years, and after 5 years of school and consistent relationships, I graduated to another version of myself.

I'll be honest, it took quite a bit of time after moving back from Gambia to feel welcomed back to a place I had spent so much time making memories in. But I went through the process of buying a home, building a new network of amazing and like-minded friends and looking at the community a little differently than I ever had before. I discovered a uniquely colored leaf and turned to examine the underneath side, which was much more interesting and compatible.

Then I embarked on this art and music tour and left for a couple of months. I had always admired those I'd meet that were coming and going, but still called Oklahoma their home, and all of a sudden, I think I am one of them. Normanites claim there's a vortex in the town, and I can attest to that. This time, when I came back, I immediately felt like a piece of the puzzle, returning to its rightful place. After 10 years of coming and going and seeing the same lovely faces, it is clear that there is something about this place. It feels like we are all doing our part to help continue to contribute to making our little bubble beautiful in endless ways.

It's nice to be here for a while, before loading up my pack on my back, once again, to see the other side of the bubble.