Being in Transition

A nice analogy, remembering that there is a better future ahead ...

"But it’s about perspective. If you think your life sucks, it means you’ve identified something better for yourself and you simply don’t have it yet. And that’s fine. We don’t have to accept our current circumstances if we don’t like them. It’s normal to want to improve your life situation.
However, while you are IN your current circumstances, you can be happy. And the way to be happy is to be in transition.

Let’s use an example. Let’s say I put you in prison and I tell you that you’re going to be there, doing nothing but rotting, for 15 years. That’s pretty disheartening right? So you sit in prison every day wishing with all your might that you were somewhere else, out of prison, free. And you’re stuck because you’re in prison. The door is locked and you’re not able to leave when you want to. Totally sucks.

Now let’s say I come along and hand you a map and say, “If you can follow this map, you can have your freedom.” You jump at the chance. Anything is better than sitting day after day in prison. I warn you that the map is a little hard to understand, and even more difficult to follow, but that if you persevere and you try hard, you can use the map to get out of prison.

You don’t care how hard it is, you’ve got a chance now! A way out. And even though you are in prison, you’re happier. Why? Because you’re in transition. You have a plan and a way to change your circumstances. It won’t be easy, but you don’t care. It’s a chance and you’re going to take it. The power is back in your hands.

So I tell you now… you are in one of two places in your life. You’re either stuck or you’re in transition."

~Excerpt from Erin Pavlina's blog: http://www.erinpavlina.com/blog/2012/11/how-to-be-happy-when-your-life-really-sucks/

2013 Goals

Okay, 7 years later ... time to make some new goals for the future!

Career
1) I want a career that is fulfilling, where I am helping people and adding value to society. Ideally I am working for a company that is focused on environmental or social issues and creating a healthier place for healthier people - biking and walking advocacy, environmental behavior change, recycling/composting, green infrastructure ...
2) I want coworkers I enjoy being around.
3) I want to work in a city where I do not need a car, where there are many events and activities so I have a chance to learn new ideas and skills, meet new people, and find a good community for me.  
4) Volunteer at bike/walk coalition, for a music/film festival, for

Personal
1) Start dating people (once I get settled somewhere) and be serious about finding and starting a lasting romance.
2) Get involved in different activities in the city I end up in ... go meet people with similar interests! Get out and go to concerts (west african), dancing (tango), language classes (french), music lessons (pick a new instrument), volunteer (animals, kids, nature, concerts), spirituality sessions, meet-ups and couch surfing, picnic and nice walks ...
3) Send a post card to all the people who have helped me the last few years and make sure they know they are welcome to visit and stay with me whenever they want.
4) Cook nice meals for people
5) Be more generous
6) Go swimming once per week
7) Drink more water!
8) Be more grateful for what I have NOW

New Skills
1) Learn French - become fluent!
2) Learn Reiki
3) Learn Reflexology
4) Look into getting project management certification (PMI)
5) Get my thesis published
6) Brainstorm how to start my own company
7) Learn HTML and other coding languages (talk to K)