Finally, 2009 is about to come to an end. A year of hearing about the government, health care, the economy, a war, terrorism and the usual other so-called newsworthy items that others think we should know about, panic over or disagree with. It sounds like any other year, actually. There seems to always be something changing within politics or the economy that is somehow supposed to be at the forefront of our attention. This year does have a difference in my case. I decided to exercise my own free will and choose how much of my attention would be captured by national or global events. I chose to skip much of all that. It seemed like one’s life can be used up by “news” and work (if fortunate enough to be employed). Get to the end of a year and look around – what happened to another year of life? Any personal growth, any accomplishments or just another year of stagnation? 

Except for a couple of weapons classes this year, the term “stagnate” would be an apt description for my own accomplishment of 2009. That seems like a poor way to continue into another year; a change in attention and perception because of events that happened to me this month have led to my choice that my own 2010 will bring more than just another outdated calendar. A new attempt at making a bucket list has created possibilities instead of just things that won’t happen despite my listing them. A choice is to take the possibilities and accomplish them in the new year. There really is nothing that would stop me from any goal I set for myself, as I’d be the only one responsible for whether that goal is completed or not. I choose to reevaluate faith, what I consider important in this life, what skills I want to learn, the type of life I decide to live.

Others can give advice as to what I am doing that is right or wrong according to their own views. I can choose whether that advice will be heeded. With just a few of these choices, I have gained time in my life that would have otherwise been wasted, my attention diverted to things that only further complicate existence instead of giving a clearer view of it. I would liken this change to someone awakening from a coma, able to see what is out in the world yet realizing that years have been lost to get that sight.

Wasting years is something I choose not to do again, ever. Jack London wrote something that has stayed with me for many years and through the different experiences I have lived. I quote him below. Will your 2010 be better than your 2009? Your choice.

“I would rather be ashes than dust. I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.”