A New Year, A New Start

I'm sure most of you have figured out by now that I seldom talk about my personal life on this blog. I think that sometimes it's important to share with everyone that there is a human side to me, and that I'm not only about my work. I'm going to take a rare minute to talk about what's going on in the non-professional life of Amy.

In the first week of the New Year, I've had the opportunity to think about a lot of things - my goals, aspirations, needs, desires, etc. What I came across while thinking about my life was that I've got my whole self involved in too much - not just activities, but people too.

I ended 2007 by saying a major goodbye to a painful part of my past. I will never look back and never regret it. From this goodbye, I've learned that sometimes there is only one mean to a necessary end. One simply cannot dwell on such means if the end promises a lifted weight off their shoulders and heart.

So this year, in continuing the monstrous step that I took in the final days of 2007, I've promised myself to focus harder on the things that I am passionate about, and to let go of the things that were never fully mine to begin with. These are not resolutions, but rather permanent promises to myself from this year forward:

I've promised myself that I will try harder to recognize my talents, and to severely reduce the negative self-criticism. I will only allow the constructive criticism necessary to improve my passions and my character.

I will say the necessary goodbyes to all which is negative or brings negativity into my life... except for junk food - I'll simply reduce even further my intake. What can I say? I like chocolate (that one's for you, dear U.S. Helicopter co-workers).

I will be more mindful of everyone else's feelings and their schedules (especially Liam's) when filling my schedule and dealing with life's issues.

I re-started my piano studies with Alex today after the holiday break, and am promising myself that I am going to make some major progress with that this year. Alex and I sat down together and planned out some of the key elements that have been missing in my training, and are going to push to ensure that I make a huge improvement in my technique and ability :)

I am planning on showcasing my work for the first time ever in public this year. In doing so, I am also offering my prints for sale for the first time. It's been a long time since I put myself in a position of vulnerability that is public performance. I've promised myself though, that I will not be afraid, and I will only use the experience to continue to grow.

I will focus on everything that I do have, and stop obsessing about when I can have or do the things I've been desiring. They too will come with time, just as my career seems to be doing :)

I will begin the process of giving back, and never stop until my dying day.

Happy new start, everyone :)