New Year's Themes
So, I actually got a request for a new blog post, and never being one to disappoint my fan (Jeff), here's a little treat for ya'll, and by ya'll, I mean Jeff.
As we come to the end of 2010, I decided that instead of setting new year's resolutions, I would instead develop a list of words or themes that I wanted to emulate in the new year. My words included: clarity, focus, sustainable, listening, etc. Of course as I was listing these words and feeling very conceptual, the structural thinker in me insisted that I create projects and yearly goals, because my words were too fluffy to actually have any impact on my life. So, always a slave to my structural brain, I started writing down projects like, hang/frame all the pictures and art in our house, clear out the upstairs, take the GRE, apply to PhD programs, update and publish material from my thesis.
You can see the conceptual jutting back in again as this list went on. I then thought to myself, "Self, what will happen in the new year?" and began that list, which then made me wonder, "Self, what did I accomplish in 2010?" As I started that list, I decided it was too narrow, and instead chose to construct a Naomi timeline starting in 2005, which I will share with you (you're welcome).
2005
- finished MA
- Started teaching for UCOL
- Met and started dating Brian
2006
- Started working for AI
2007
- Got engaged
2008
- Got married
2009
- Job/title shift
- Bought a house
- Designed a couple courses for UCOL
- Joined the FMC leadership council
2010
- Built up AI's customized workshop branch
- Started UCOL's Diversity & Inclusivity Committee
- Joining Conflict Center Board
- Got a puppy
As I finished my Naomi timeline and forecasted happenings in 2011, it occurred to me that I had no idea what Brian was hoping to do or wanted me to do in 2011, so I put my spastic planning on hold and announced at dinner that I had a great couple's exercise that we should do together for the new year. You can imagine how excited he was about this. He insisted that I share my random lists with him, which I conveniently had outlined on notebook paper in my purse. So, I shared with him my conceptual word list, and he only laughed out loud at the word sustainable, since my idea for sustainable for 2010 had been for him to start a composting bin in the backyard, which he didn't want to do...
At any rate, I think tonight we are going to set our couple's conceptual words and goals for 2011, so I'll let you know how that goes. Or not post another blog until the end of the year (more likely).
I hope you've enjoyed your glimpse into my mind. Now you all know why it's so difficult for me to make decisions. - Naomi
posted by Naomi @ 10:26 AM
7 Comments:
Sorry about that Brian, had no idea asking for one post a year would end up with you having a "couple's project".
My Bad.
But the composting bin in the backyard reminds me of a story from Ann, first told to me while we were dating. (which means that yes, I heard this story and still decided to marry into this crazy family)
Anyway, Grandpa Marshall's (DOGD Not Grandpa Tom) version of composting was to take off the food and paper waste into the backyard and burn it in an open fire. Now of course the Marshall's always had a dog around, and the dog was almost always named Brandy. And on at least one occasion Brandy said to herself, "Self, that crazy man is burning up all the chicken bones again, we need to get in there and save them!" And directly after that all the Marshall children were engaged in the game of "Catch the Flaming Dog with Chicken Bones in it's Mouth"
What is the lesson here? You should let Denver do your composting for you. If Denver doesn't have a composting service for yard waste, then you could commit 2011 to write one letter a year to the Denver City Council asking them to start up such a program.
I think that could be a good new year's resolution.
oops, Sorry Naomi, I think that breaks your rule of "no interesting comments to detract from the original post"
thanks for the post though, always good to check out the inside of the Naomi mind.
or else I know you would know I didn't know you.
errr...or something like that.
Yay! I was so excited to see a new post from you pop up in my google reader. I had given up on your blog as all but dead, so it was quite a nice surprise :) I love that you make Brian do couples projects! I'm looking forward to your follow up post, which I guess I should expect to see some time in December of 2011? ;)
Wow I can hardly wait to make Jeff do this couples project as well!
I was so excited to see this come up on my RSS!! You must do a follow-up post. If not, I say that your faithful readers should get to come up with a couple's project for you.
I also re-read your outline of events/accomplishments and I am 100% confident that you left some out. What about the classes you taught? Consulting? Friend counseling? Meetings you made it through without slapping someone in the face? Don't sell yourself short!
This is becoming a Christmas card blog.
Yay! You're back blogging!
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