Finding the way

For as long as I can remember, I've had this dream, no... goal, to be a writer.   I want to write a novel - to actually finish writing a novel.   I've written a lot over the years, and I can't seem to find that perfect thing to write that actually gets me to the end.   And it makes me wonder if that's actually ever been a realistic dream for me. Am I even capable of completing something like that?  Has it been stupid to hold on to that for so long?

*insert heavy sigh*

It's hard to re-evaluate dreams you've been holding since childhood.  And I don't think this one needs to be completely abandoned, but I don't think I have any idea how to move forward with it.

So here's the thing...

I didn't have a great year last year.   I had a lot of disappointments - mostly in myself, and the way I handled the year.   Which is why I did not do my normal end of the year wrap up, and then start off the year posts.

I have goals for this year - I absolutely have goals for the year.   But they're a little different than they've been in the past.  This year, I've decided is the year to be aware. 

Wish you were here

Often after a TV show that I've watched is cancelled, I will follow the careers of the actors in that show to find out what they go on to do.  Lauren Graham, for example, I watched on Parenthood and try to catch on Ellen every time she's on (Highly recommend this especially - she's hilarious and never says anything useful.  It's just funny.)

Another example: Bethany Joy Lenz played Haley on One Tree Hill.  I've always found her interesting, putting aside the fact that Haley was the character that made the most sense to me on the show.  From the random snippets of interviews that I've seen of her, I have always enjoyed her personality outside the show as well.  She now has this awesomely adorable blog that I'm following. In it's own words "For anyone seduced by nostalgia and inspired by the future, WISH YOU WERE HERE is a little place to rest a while."

It's just the right combination of fashion, beauty, nostalgia and the exactly right amount of snark and personality that I absolutely love it right now.

Edit - 02/04/2018 - the site is called Modern Vintage Life now, still awesome.

Something I wish I had heard sooner and hope to remember

Buckets full

I read an article recently about something called the "Book Bucket Challenge."  Essentially, it challenges people to list the 10 books that have most influenced them or left the greatest impression on them.

Anyone who knows me knows I'm a big reader, but I'm having a lot of trouble with this concept.  Not that anyone nominated me for the challenge, but it got me thinking anyway.  The problem may be that I read too much, and I generally find something worth taking out of everything I read.  Not necessarily on purpose, but some piece of something always sticks.

Resistant to change

I'm told at work sometimes that I'm resistant to change.  I feel strongly that I'm not resistant; I just want to have a good reason/explanation for why I should be making that change.  Change for change sake isn't useful for anything.

Then I read this for my Training & Development class this semester: