Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Day 365 - Blogiversary

I think I picked the right name for this blog. On a day where my doctor said I should relax and take a long hot bath, I celebrated my first blogiversary by doing what I always do. I worked. I tried to make a foolproof map for a client who said that Google maps were sending his customers to the wrong place. I added links to a Facebook fan page for a company that only has four fans. I tried to understand why my financial advisor was in such a hurry to get me to buy something today after ignoring me for three months.

I did these mundane chores while trying to pass broken pieces of the kidney stones that the surgeon broke apart with his laser yesterday. I thought I was home free when I was released from the hospital, but evidently it is not uncommon for pieces of the stones to be left behind after the proceedure. All in all, it felt more like a day to simply endure than a day of celebration.

The day did deserve a celebration though. At least a small one. Today was a milestone for me. I completed an entire year of blogging without missing a single day. Each day ended with a new post and a new photograph. I became a more disciplined writer this year and in the process, I made new friends, became part of a larger community of bloggers and gained some valuable insights into where my life was headed.

I thought my life was boring before I started the blog. Nothing has really changed, but I feel more connected now. I think that writing everything down one day at a time has made me a bit more appreciative of what I already have in life and a lot less likely to whine about what I don't have. It's really not a bad life. I'm active in animal rescue. I have a few clients who still depend on me. I have Janet and two of the best dogs in the world. That's more than enough for me. If I started this blog five years ago, every day would have been a major whine fest. I don't feel that way any more. I'm still a bit cynical and I don't always feel like getting up in the morning, but at least I can acknowledge now that there's a reason why I'm here on this earth.

Year two is likely to be very much like year one. I don't think that's a bad thing though. There are still plenty of Dalmatians who need a home. I lost my largest client this year, but was able to replace the billing by adding three smaller clients and doing a lot of hard work. I intend to keep working and keep learning. Hey, I may have been the last person on the planet to get a cell phone, but I did get one this year. I finally got a Facebook page as well. Who know what next year will bring. It might be hard to top a year where Dot and Dash got on the evening news and I was selected to be in Paypal ads, but it's worth a try.

I'll continue taking things one day at a time. I'll write it all down. And I'll do my best to appreciate each day as it comes. I hope you guys will continue the journey with me, because I've certainly enjoyed having you along for the ride.

Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day