The obligatory (?) 2008 retrospective

I’m not a big fan of looking backwards, usually. There’s nothing you can do to change the past, so dwelling on it serves little purpose in my mind. Learning from it? Well, that’s something.

This year has taught me so very much. About me. About my friends. About my family. And about life in general. The lessons have sometimes come in powerful face slaps that sent me reeling for days or weeks on end. Sometimes they’ve snuck up on me, quietly, like Batman does on his villains. And I imagine still others have yet to register yet.

I took possibly one of the biggest risks I could have this year by walking away from a job that wasn’t making me happy to explore and find what would. My daughter was just a year old, and I had three months’ worth of income in the bank and a relatively solid idea of what I was good at. That was it. I started Altitude because I believed in what I was capable of doing. I still do. And the people around me have supported me, encouraged me, and unwaveringly cheered me on all the way.

So what I have I learned?

• Nothing is impossible.
• Believing in yourself is paramount, because absolutely no one else can adequately do it for you.
• True friends are worth everything, and they show themselves in the moments when you need them most. Treasure them.
• Hard work really does pay off. Not always right away, but it does.
• There are few absolutes in the world, save the love you have for your child.
• I am far stronger than I ever gave myself credit for.

Those of you reading here have likely landed because we’ve met somewhere along the way - either online or off. And I have to tell you that *you* are what keeps me coming back to this every day. Working insanely long days and waking up in the middle of the night to scribble down a fleeting idea. Because walking away from the corporate world was, in large part, a commitment to something bigger than me, part of which manifests in sharing this personal blog. I don’t want to do it on my own. I want you along with me. What fun is an adventure if you can’t share it?

Thank you for being here. Thanks for your friendship, your humor, your encouragement and your conversation. 2008 has been a pivotal year for me, and I can’t wait to charge into 2009 with all of you by my side.

Cheers, and Happy New Year to all of you.