Dec 31, 2008
When I was a child I used to live by a giant pond. It may have in reality, been a tiny pond but as a small boy it seemed giant. I used to wade in knee deep and catch frogs and bring them home to keep as pets only to be told to release them later by my parents. There was a big old apple tree that we used to climb and rip off the crab apples and see who could throw them the furthest, if you hit the pond you were king. Then there were those days when you would sit by the waters edge and be in harmony with the crickets, the bull frogs and the birds. On those days I would peer down and see the reflection of a boy with unkempt hair and dirt on his face. Sometimes I would wonder if I would ever grow up, if I would stay that boy forever.
Reality is I grew up. We all do. Some faster then others. Now as man in my 39th year of life, approaching 40 I stop and reflect. Some people I know spend their days still avoiding the reality of getting older, they fear the idea of being more mature, or responsibility. They still drink like they did when they were 21 years old, they sleep away their days with excuses. I even have a friend who lives with his parents… 39 and still at home. He says he has it “perfected”. Maybe he does… who knows?
I have other friends still who are executives in big companies. Making lots of money and holding great positions of power. Although I wonder if that choice has cost them some of the innocence of life, some adventure. Then there are a few people I know who travel the globe choosing to live the ways of a transient, a gypsy. Country to country living off of this adventure called life.
As I sit in my home at 5:55 am on New Year’s Eve day and write this blog I reflect back to that pond and then travel through my life. Looking at the adventure that it has been. The places I have gone, people I have met, the mistakes I have made and the celebrations I have been part of. I wonder what will come next? I wonder where I will be in 12 months. Who will I be in one year. I will be different, but how? The amazing thing is, as opposed to when I was a child catching frogs by the pond I am in charge. Sure life can throw you obstacles and challenges but it’s how I, as an adult deal with them.
I wonder now if I was able to look down at that reflection in the pond what and who would I see? Who would look back at me?
At the end of each day, after spending hours at the pond I would hear my mom or dad’s voice yelling for me to come home. I would run to my house and be full of stories, many I wouldn’t tell, many would remain my own secret wondrous adventure. Then after dinner I would find my bed and fall asleep dreaming of what was next, what would happen tomorrow? Never knowing what the next chapter would hold. It’s the same thing today. I have more control of my reactions but no more control of the day, or year that shall unfold, but I shall make the most of it.
Happy New Year to all the STUpendous BLOG readers. Thanks for your comments and thoughts. I love writing it and I love that people read it. These are just my thoughts, not always right and quite often up for debate, but they are mine.
Each year at this time I write my top ten wishes for the year so hear goes my top ten for 2009:
1. A cure for Cancer.
2. My dear friend Laura to get better.
3. A cure for MS.
4. Strength for my sister in law Arlie.
5. Patience and understanding. We all could use more of that.
6. For all of my family to all have a healthy and happy year.
7. For my nephew CJ as he embarks on his new journey to the West. Be safe and be wise.
8. For Brenda and Rich’s baby. May it be healthy and full of joy!
9. YLCC, OSLC and the YLCC LTC to have another great year!
10. I wish for PTY to be a success and that I have the strength to live the life I know I can.
What are your wishes for 2009? Share them here on the STUpendous BLOG!
Talk to you next year!
Posted by Stu Saunders in Goal Setting Leadership Learning and Growing Motivation on Dec 31, 2008 at 8:44 am | Permanent Link | Comments (10)
Comment posted on Dec 31, 2008 at 1:02 pm by Christian (YLCC Guest)
Excellent blog Stu, one of my favourites for sure.
Comment posted on Dec 31, 2008 at 3:02 pm by ORNJ (YLCC Member)
I don’t often comment on your words, brother ... but this one is a celebration like no other!!
Your ideas celebrate change, growth, possibilities, dreams, beginnings, continuation ... ideas that can strengthen any soul!!
I celebrate you.
Love and laughter,
ORNJ
Comment posted on Jan 1, 2009 at 10:40 am by Leigh-Anne (YLCC Guest)
beautifully written my friend…
May your body always be filled with strength and understanding.
May your heart always be filled with love and truth.
May your soul always fly high with hope and compassion.
May your feet always take you where you need to go.
much love to you.
xo
Comment posted on Jan 2, 2009 at 1:52 pm by jessome (YLCC Member)
My Wishes for 2009 are more of a continuation of what 2008 brought:
1. The health of my brother and sister in law, and the safe arrival of their baby.
2. My Family’s health
3. For one acceptance to a Teachers College
4. To get completely lost in nature.
5. To enjoy one more stint at YLCC.
6. To run a half marathon.
7. To continue to make myself, and my parents, more environmentally aware.
8. To do something that surprises myself.
9. To stop and soak in one extra moment everyday.
10. To maintain and improve my commitments.
And, one bonus wish that this year WILL become reality:
* To finally release myself from my “temporary” 4 year job. Saying goodbye to it will make me more serious about beginning my career.
Great Blog Stu.
Happy New Year to you and the family.
Jessome
Comment posted on Jan 2, 2009 at 6:56 pm by erin (YLCC Guest)
you just gave me goosebumps.
and you have inspired me to write my own list, and reflect on more than just a few things. when i was little, i didn’t have a pond- i had a forest and a treehouse (badly built by neighbourhood rugrats) and i used to plan grand things and comtemplate all things important to a little one. i need to spend more time contemplating all things important to this 27 year old.
thank you for reminding me, friend.
xo.
Comment posted on Jan 2, 2009 at 6:59 pm by Pamlamb (YLCC Member)
My wishes for 2009 are
1) A cure for MS
2) For my mom to find strength to let go
3) For Matt to get accepted to Teacher’s College
4) For new relationships to continue to blossom
5) To read more and watch TV less
6) To be money conscious
7) To not be afraid of new experiences
8) For new YLCC babies to be born healthy
9) To go bungee jumping
10) To become bilingual!
Here’s to a great new year! Bring on 2009!
PamLamb
Comment posted on Jan 3, 2009 at 5:34 pm by Angela (YLCC Member)
Tears….still tears…..not sure what it is about this blog…..dam you S-T-U…
My wishes
1) True Love, to mine and to others
2) Happiness through and through
3) Safety and security for myself and all those I love
4) For my best friend Scotty to retire from the RCMP unwounded
5) For my mom, my brother and my dad to be happy…truly happy
6) For the Saunders and Clark children to have a life of joy and bliss
7) For a life with less debt
8) For a strong future with a stronger foundation
9) To succeed at many of my attempts
10)A cure for MS…
Much love
A
Comment posted on Jan 4, 2009 at 2:06 am by kaila (YLCC Member)
This is wonderful, Stu. Thank you for the insight.
I was inspired by this message to fill a page in my journal with wishes for 2009. Some of them include:
-For the wellness of my Grandparents and Uncle Jack and Uncle Hank
-For my mother’s peace of mind
-To feel as though I am in the right place in my first year of University
-To remain grounded
-To combat jealousy, resentment, judgement, negativity, laziness and misery
-For a spring and summer to top the last!
Keep wishing YLCC!
Happy New Year
Comment posted on Jan 6, 2009 at 10:18 pm by Hillary Newkirk (YLCC Member)
My wishes for 2009:
-I wish for my mother’s best friends health, I wish for strength and unity to bless her family in the upcoming year.
-For YLCC 2009, my wish is that last year is an indication of what is in store for 2009
-Rich and Brenda’s baby, I wish for a healthy Clark family!
-A wish for my new management job starting in March, I hope I’m right for it and love it as much as I loved my job last year.
-I wish for my travels this year to be filled with new culture, learning, meeting new people, and seeing as much as possible!
-I wish my brother a great new life when he moves to Toronto.
-Of course there is also a place on this list for new and blossoming relationships to grow and be amazing this year.
-A wish goes to those who are suffering due to a war. That we as humans can find a solution to all the hardships we bring ourselves in this world. And that those of us who are lucky enough to live away from a life threatening environment, can be grateful every day for what we have, and remember those who have died, and who are fearing for their lives.
Thanks Stu,
-Hillary
Comment posted on Jan 12, 2009 at 3:54 pm by Elle :) (YLCC Member)
Wishes for my 20-09,
1) To take more chances, make more mistakes, and to learn from both.
2) To better appreciate where I am in life, and each day that I have.
3) To take time to keep in touch with my friends, who mean the world to me.
4) To ensure that my family, both parents and my brother, truly understand how much I love them and how much I appreciate having them beside me in my life’s journey.
5) To keep my head in the game, and persevere even when I feel like giving up.
6) To try, try again and try harder.
7) To find joy and growth in each day and for my loved ones to be able to do the same.
8) For my best friend’s family to find peace and understanding within eachother, and to be there to help each step of the way.
9) Happiness and health to YLCC and members new and old!
10) and for 5 more emergency wishes just in case, for whatever life throws at me this year…
With YLCC, and you guys in my heart,
Happy 09, make it magnificent!
Ellie