Running in the New Year

January 1, 2011.

It's just like any other day, really, but January 1st of any year seems to carry a lot of significance in it's promise of new beginnings, the possibility for change and maybe even a little motivation to accomplish our ambitions.

I had dinner last night with a few of my oldest and closest friends at the restaurant where another of our oldest and closest friends works as a server. We looked across the table at one another with contented smiles as we recounted 2010, remembering all that we have experienced, accomplished and learned. We also took time to reflect on some of our regrets and some of our more negative adventures, sharing our plans about what we are hoping to improve in ourselves over the course of 2011. We tasted one another's scrumptious suppers and passed around our fruity cocktails, sharing stories and enjoying the company of those we trust and love. It was a beautiful conclusion to what my friends had apparently dubbed 'The Year of Magic' (I wasn't present when this was decided, but I think 2010 turned out to be pretty magical for me, as evidenced in my last post). As we shared our plans and ideas for the coming year, it became apparent that 2011 will continue to include many transitions for each of us. Whether we are finishing school, starting school, looking for a new job, making decisions about where to live and work, or just continuing to work and strive for our dreams, this year will be a year of new endeavours, labour and action. It will be a year to accomplish our ambitions. It will be a year of passion.

The word passion, to me, at least, immediately connotes the idea of working hard for things we love. So what are the things that I love? Hmmm… my family, my friends, God… myself. Happiness, fun, making things, beauty, wisdom. Travel, new experiences, writing. Music. So, I guess 2011 will be the year of working hard for all of these things. I'll let you know how it goes.

Despite my immense pleasure at spending a delightful evening with people I love, I had to cut my night short. I climbed on an almost empty Go Bus around 11:00 pm, leaving my friends to continue their celebrations with dessert and maybe even some dancing. I had to get home at a reasonable hour in order to be rested for this morning— when I ran 'The Resolution Run' with my running group. I thought it was a pretty good way to start the year off on the right foot… or was it the left? (That one was for you, Tom.)

Look how hardcore I am!