Monday, January 29, 2007

Reflections On Another Year #2

This year on my birthday I was having a birthday dinner with some of my friends, including a surprise appearance from my best friend John all the way from Dashwood! And since I recently resurrected my blog, I had the presence of mind to check out last year's review and think about how I felt around this time a year ago. Well, the feelings are similar, namely that I've done a lot of things. But this year I feel like I've developed as a person more than I did last year. Part of that has been by going through difficult experiences too. And that's one part of me that has developed -- the ability to admit my issues more readily and also to learn from my so-called negative experiences. I think one often grows more through things that hurt than through those clear successes in life. So this year, I'll review not just the good stuff.

Good stuff:
  • Submitted my final Professional Engineers Ontario licensing application to PEO (the processing begins in February)
  • Undertook significant new projects and more management responsibilities at GM
  • Bought my first major non-mobile purchase: my house (I am now renting my house to a family, and they're really nice!)
  • Broke my land speed-driving record (yes, 227 km/hour on the Autobahn is faster than last year) in a Mercedes E-Class
  • Wrote 2 more pretty good songs
  • Organised a small but successful campaign to raise money for orphans in India
  • Started dating someone really cool who lives near me
  • Started playing live jazz with my duo/trio at swing dancing nights
  • Became the Musical Director for the musical Godspell, which my church is putting on
Hard stuff:
  • I broke the heart of someone I really cared about
  • My best friend, John, was in a major accident
  • I witnessed my extended and immediate family enter into conflicts that strained our relationships and caused a lot of hurt
  • I learned to accept that I have issues
Things that I've learned:
  • Although difficult to admit to yourself, sometimes the best thing you can do for someone is to remove yourself from their life
  • You can be completely financially organised by spending 2 hours a month on it
  • In many arguments, you can be right or you can be happy, its up to you
  • You can love someone even if you disagree with them or don't understand them
  • If you are offended by something, it is often because you are insecure about something
  • Love does not always conquer practicality
  • Not deciding something is a decision in itself, and usually its a bad decision (I'm relearning this one again and again)
  • Seeing a counsellor/therapist is great way to improve yourself (I'm planning to do this)
  • Your self is made up of your feelings more than your thoughts
  • The drive from Windsor to Toronto feels a lot longer than I used to remember

5 comments:

Unknown said...

This is a nice comprehensive overview of your year...you're being very mindful of your actions and contemplative of your decisions. What a great way to approach life! We should all learn from it!

Kirk Schmidt said...

Daniel

Speaking of 'achievements', you might want to check out this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QsG0D-MLp4

You could beat them!

Marika said...

Daniel... I'm so sorry I forgot your birthday... next time you're in town we'll have to do something special. Or when I see you in Ann Arbor we'll have to. Anyways, Happy 28th!

Patrick said...

Daniel!

I'm so happy you're updating your blog again. Anyway great year end wrap up. I agree with most of it (although sometimes there is cause to be offended and sometimes being right is being happy - but I take your points).

Cheers,

P

Anonymous said...

Daniel,

It's an honour to have you call me your best friend, and I'm a lucky man to have you as my best friend.

As I journey through my life, I too see a host of changes in my personal approach to life, especially since my MVA of April 03, 2006.

As I contemplate three more upcoming surgeries, legal litigation, and the crap of life, I take solace in meditation, reflection, music, journalling, prayer, and relationships.

I thank you for helping me along my journey, and I want to help you along your journey as well - which includes the hills & valleys of life.

John Drummond
drummond.john@gmail.com