Change: Rolling With It in 2013

I’ve never kicked off a New Year like this one before. Starting January 9, I will have no job. On January 13, I will spend 33 hours flying to the other side of the world. I land in Bangkok on January 15, and my only plan is to book a room and visit the Vietnam embassy to secure a visa. I have no concrete itinerary when I get to Asia, nor do I know exactly how long I will be staying. I have several job prospects, but nothing lined up when I get home. Depending on another situation that is out of my control, I may or may not be moving to New York City when I get back to the States (whenever that is). Whether I move there or not, I know I won’t be coming back to the same living situation I have been in for the last 2 years. To sum it up, when it comes to 2013… I don’t know anything for sure.

Driving to work this morning the radio DJs were asking people to give one word to describe their hopes for the new year. I decided that rather than “Uncertain”,which was the first word that came to mind, I would go with the less ominous: “Change”. 2013 will be a year of change. I have never been one to put much emphasis on a New Years Resolution. Several years ago, after reading “The Happiness Project” by Gretchen Rubin, I adopted a system of monthly resolutions. It keeps me focused on predetermined, concrete goals that change every month. I track how successful I am every night, and the consistency keeps me highly engaged and motivated. If you haven’t checked out her book or blog, I recommend both. No matter my feelings on a yearly resolution, I’m setting one for 2013. This year my resolution is to “roll with it.” Let the changes come at their own pace and stop trying to control life or worry about what’s around the next bend.

I can’t predict how my year is going to turn out. In fact, when I try to, I get dizzy. But new years aren’t meant to be predicted. They are meant to be lived. I know that all of the changes I have recently made have magnified the uncertainty (I mean change) that 2013 holds, but none of us know what’s coming tomorrow- no matter how we have it planned. The best we can do is live today to the fullest and make decisions that will enrich each day we are lucky enough to have ahead.

If you want to get all crazy with the whole “Change” thing… Quit your job, book a plane ticket, and only after you’ve done that, start trying to figure out the logistics of how you are going to get all of the immunizations and insurance plans worked out with only two weeks to prepare. Take it from me, that will keep your blood flowing.