I In 1983 I would've been six or seven years old when the British group Frankie Goes To Hollywood released a catchy little debut single called "Relax" that became a worldwide hit and spawned a very popular T-shirt logo. What does this actually have to do with anything and why am I starting a blog post with it? Because it's New Year's Day 2016 and it may be 33 years later but I think this year I am finally going to take Frankie's advice. I have always been the kind of person that makes lists and tries to figure out what I should be focused on next. I constantly check the clock or my watch to make sure I don't miss something or let something slip through the cracks. It has brought me some successes and I am grateful for that, but as I look back on where I've been and what I've done over my 39 years of life I have realized one amazing truth. I now have everything I've ever wanted. I regret some of the things in my past, but I am grateful because of where they all got me.
I have an amazing wife who sees the world in pretty much the same way I do (most of the time). She is beautiful, smart, creative, funny, and devoted; the perfect woman in my opinion. She and I have been blessed with a wonderful daughter who amazes us every single day. She's so happy and content in a world that sometimes seems so dark and intent to drag us down. She keeps us on our toes at times, but mostly it just warms our hearts and makes our chests swell with pride to see her grow and develop. We are expecting another baby girl, currently dubbed "Deuce" until we decide on a name, and can't wait for the exponential increase of joy she will bring into our home. Speaking of our home, we just bought our first house and although there are years of work ahead of us to break it in properly and get the yard just the way we want it, I love where we've settled. It's quiet most of the time, but especially at night. It is far enough from the city lights to see all the stars shining in the night sky. We have pretty nice views of the Rocky Mountains during the day too. The house is just right for us and the plans we have for our little family. I have also been blessed with a job that while stressful at times gives me almost complete autonomy to focus on my duties and make my own priorities while making enough to support our family. And as funny as it sounds to include this, we have been blessed with a pretty but crazy dog who is just right for our family.
Yes, I am a blessed man. So instead of making a list of resolutions that will do nothing more than frustrate me or worrying about a few extra pounds or stressing as each minute of 2016 ticks off the clock and wondering what more I could have done or what I could've done better with every passing second, I am making one simple resolution for 2016. I am going to take Frankie's advice and just RELAX. I am going to enjoy life, I am going to play with the dog, I am going to take my family to the lake more, I am going to go fishing, I am going to read or just sit in the dark and listen to my records, I am going to unplug from the rampant negativity and conflict of social media, but mostly I am simply going to take the time to appreciate what I have achieved and the beautiful family and tremendous life I have been blessed with rather than focus on what I may not do well or all the stuff I don't have. I will still have things I want to work on, but I am not going to let them bring me down. I hope you all have the opportunity to find the good things in your lives as well when it has become so easy to focus on the negative in this world. Count your blessings.
Peace, Love, & Happy New Year!
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