Today is the second day of the new year. When I look back on 2008, I see both accomplishment and disappointment in equal measure. I'm pleased with my accomplishments, small though they are: keeping my business afloat and even expanding it a little despite tough times. I even took on a subcontractor. I'll continue on that path in 2009. I already have some plans in the works.
But the disappointments . . . I didn't go anywhere. I didn't do anything just for fun. My most exciting road trips were to Duluth and Okoboji, always to visit family. No conventions, no concerts. Yes, I was working hard, and yes, I was strapped for cash, but I owe it to myself to get out more. Out of my head, out of my house, out of my town, out of my rut.
Another disappointment: I let ego get in my way a lot last year. I used it as an excuse to avoid tough situations. I let it prevent me from doing things I wanted to do. I let it get in the way of enjoying time with my family. So I need to work on getting out of my own way this year.
Which brings me to my point: Blue Dragon Stretches Its Claw. Why does the dragon stretch its claw? To investigate. To explore. To expand its reach. Since I have named my business, and therefore myself, Blue Dragon, this is what I must do: stretch myself, try some new things, and lighten the hell up.
This will be difficult. I've stayed on the safe path and stuck to things I'm good at for nearly 40 years. And I'm bored. So I'm going to try new things, and I'm going to fail at some of them. That will have to be OK, though. According to Chaucer, a man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?
I've started my stretching. I asked for and received some art supplies for Christmas. I've never been much good at drawing or painting, but I'm going to try it so I can illustrate my blog.
Today I ordered a deep blue slipcover for my ugly beige couch. I realized over the holidays that I have inherited every couch I've ever owned but have never chosen one I truly like. Today I changed that. When that cover arrives, the couch will look like I want it to look.
Now I'm on my way to Home Depot to choose paint colors for the living room walls—not one but three: I want a sapphire, an emerald, and a ruby wall. Today I'll narrow my paint choices; when the couch cover arrives, I'll purchase those that compliment it best. By the end of January, I'll have a new living room. It's a start.
I haven't yet decided how to incorporate this stretching into my T'ai Chi practice, but I'm sure something will come to me. I may have to stretch to reach it, but it will be there.
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