I'm So Dizzy

“And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.” II Corinthians 8:10


My life from the weekend before Thanksgiving until now has flown by so fast that I cannot help but be dizzy. I thought any moment that I would take time to sit down and write a New Year’s blog full of whatever resolutions I probably would not keep, but I never seemed to have the time. On the Monday before Thanksgiving I had back surgery which took up all my spare time with physical therapy, so December and January both have just flown by. The bad news being that I did not get to enjoy the holidays very much, but the good news is that my leg pain seems to be much relieved.

So last year my only resolution was to have ten good days, which I really feel that I was able to accomplish. I actually had some pretty good weeks during 2010. Had it not been for my company moving thirty miles from my house and my excruciating back pain during the last four months then last year would have been one of my better years.

Work moving has really been bad in that it has taken up all of my ‘me’ time. I no longer have the luxury of wind-down time each afternoon, so my temper with partners and friends alike has probably been hard for them to deal with since June. Coupled with the pain I was in I can only imagine what a bitch I must have been to everyone during the last quarter of the year. Hopefully they will forgive me!

One good thing that came out of the last four months was that I gained two new friends. Of course, as usual these days they started out as Martin’s friends from his choir, but quickly became my friends as well. One of the two has really made me feel better about my lot in life. He is actually half my age, and has opened my eyes to so many new thoughts and experiences. What he sees in having an old man like me for a close friend I am not sure, but I certainly am glad that we have bonded. While I have not gotten near as close to the other one, still we have shared a lot of confidences. That sharing that I have been able to do with both of them is what has surprised me the most. For this shy man, it used to take years of friendship with someone before I let down my guard and started trusting. Now I seem to not be as scared at taking chances with my heart.

So after last year's resounding success with my resolution, should I now make an even bolder one this year? I think not. In Paul’s words to the Corinthians he points out that what use are good purposes if after a year they have led to no good deeds. Perhaps this year instead of making promises that would only benefit myself, I need to work on making changes in my life that would benefit others. Especially those I love…