2009 – My ‘Yes Man’ Year
I think the year 2009 should definitely go down as my “Yes Man” year. Did you see the Jim Carrey movie where he’s all despondent so a friend takes him to see an inspirational speaker who challenges him to start saying “yes” to every opportunity, every invitation, every challenge? It’s a fun movie, a little lightweight but with a thought provoking message.
Anyway, that Yes Man was me during this past year. Way back in early January I was asked to fly over to Laos and interview a couple of NGO workers who deal with refugees fleeing political oppression. I told them, “I’ve never done that before, but sure, I’ll try,” and it was a very interesting first for me.
Soon after that, I was invited to work the greeting table for the Japanese retirees’ club. When members or visitors (most speaking little English) come to meetings, I’m one of those who greet them, take their money, make sure their names are registered, then hand them a coupon for coffee and refreshments.
Later in the year I was again tapped by the Japanese retirees’ club, this time to help plan and organize a public event titled “Japanese Song Karaoke Contest” for amateur Thai singers. In that one, I played a fairly minor role, but it was fun to attend all the meetings and watch while everything came together, then to see the event actually take place more or less as we had planned it.
There have been several other things as well, of a more personal nature. One of the most significant was when my mother passed away in late August. Although other family members were there to help, it fell on me to make final decisions about Mom’s estate, small though it was.
I also had eye surgery – not once but twice – in October and November to correct cataracts (lens clouding). With the new replacement lenses, I can now see better than ever before in my life.
Of course, those are just a few highlights, but it has been a year of “Yes”es and unexpected steps forward.
Now I’m really, really looking forward to what’s lined up for 2010. If I can manage to accomplish even half of what I’ve got planned, it’s going to be a great adventure. And then when I factor in the usual flood of unexpected things that are sure to come my way, next year should be exciting indeed.
So what kind of surprise adventures and steps forward did you encounter during this past year?
And what plans are you lining up for next year? I don’t mean the usual insipid resolutions that nobody keeps. I mean goals and plans. Things that, when you get ‘em done, they’ll have you feeling really good about yourself?
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