There is little at least, if not a lot, to be gained from having an optimistic outlook towards life. I’ll be honest when I say I haven’t ever believed that entirely in my life. But from being pessimistic and negative for the most part, I’ve come to realise painfully the absence of optimism and how much it has the potential to scar you emotionally. It would also be wrong to say that it doesn’t hurt to be optimistic. Disappointment from something you had strong hopes for, can hurt you in a very real way. But, that is a price you can usually afford to pay.
Lying in bed, trying to think of what if anything phenomenal I accomplished throughout the year that is no more I am forced to draw nothing. I can’t remember anything significant I did. That doesn’t mean I didn’t do anything worthwhile or significant to any extent. I just can’t remember. It’s probably due to the cracking headache I’m having. I don’t know.
The year passed by so quick, it’s hard to say where it went. I’m not the kind of person, as much as I try to be otherwise, who makes clear, real goals and lives by them. That doesn’t mean I’ve no goals. I do. I’m just not obsessed with the whole goal-setting thing. Although a lot of times I think that things around me simply unfold themselves, and I naturally flow through them.
Work wise, this was the year where I tackled many different projects, of varying complexities and sizes. I learned a lot of new things. Of import were my exercises in finding ways to deploy both Django and web.py Python frameworks on IIS on Windows. I went on to write a guide to deploying web.py on IIS which got accepted into the official cookbook documentation for the web.py project.
Insofar as tech gadgets are concerned, I was lucky enough to upgrade to the high-end Apple’s MacBook Pros, especially since my previous MacBook had developed several faults. Very late in the year I made what was perhaps the best decision in terms of buying anything when I bought the iPad2. It would be an understatement to say that it has had an impact on my life. The iPad has had a phenomenal impact on my life. If it is any testament to that statement, I’m writing this post on the Elements app on the iPad and will publish it using the WordPress app. I’m so glad I made the decision to buy it after much deliberation.
This year saw a lot by way of reading. I bought more books in paperback and committed myself to reading more. Not only that, I also forced myself to reading, daily, two dozen different interesting feeds. With the coming of the iPad, my reading saw an exponential increase, not only in the form of ebooks but many online feeds and content sources. A man must read, in order to survive. I believe strongly in that.
On the personal side, there were certain events that shook my life. It didn’t affect anyone’s but my own life, but they had a huge impact on me, and not sadly in positive ways. My emotional self took a battering. I also played a small part in helping save a friend’s life from half way across the globe. Thankfully, this year saw family bonds getting a little stronger, which I am very grateful for.
With regards to tennis, this was a great year for me. My game improved by leaps and bounds and I played some of the best tennis of my life. I have been more and more in love with tennis every passing day. Sometimes I think that that is the only true love left in my life.
All in all, I can’t say that the year was bad for me, nor would I want to say it was great. It was a balanced mix of both good and bad. Regardless, I’m thankful for everything and everything. I’ve been blessed beyond what I care to realise. You only need look at someone less fortunate than yourself to realise what you have been given. I do that almost everyday. And I feel bad about those severely less fortunate in particular. Yet I’m also guilty of forcing myself in a bubble at times that hides away the outside from me. I should always realise. I should always be grateful.
My best wishes to each and everyone of you. Please stay safe and be well! A very happy new year to you.
Thank you!
