It’s so easy to focus on the negative side of things, at least for me.

I have a strong tendency to identify with the struggles, hardships, and tragedies.  If you read my lyrics, you’d think I’m having a teeth-gritting, strife-ridden life!

But I’m proud to say, 2011 has been a year when many things really fell in place.  Hmmm, that sounds like I was lucky — no, I take full credit for making everything happen, or at least having played major roles in creating my own good fortune.

Today I’d like to share those major milestones this year, to recap the first three quarters of 2011.

• Our house: We bought a house in February and we continue to feel totally grateful for the great house and neighborhood we find ourselves in.  Many factors lined up that enabled us to purchase this house — under other times we wouldn’t have been able to afford it.  I, for one, am so happy not to be in a fixer-upper — I have building experience, but it’s really not my thing.  ;-)  This is a place where my family can really thrive, and that’s so important.
• My marriage: My wife and I are enjoying the best relationship we’ve ever had, after 15 years of marriage and 18 years of being together.  That’s amazing to me, and I feel super grateful — I’m sure everyone wonders this when they’re getting started, but I just didn’t know how a relationship can stay strong and fresh after many years.  Actually, though, it seems to keep getting better — our good phase didn’t just happen, it’s more about how we finally figured out how to make our relationship tick.  So I believe we’re not only going to stay this way, but it’s going to get even better.
• Finding a singer: As of this writing my singer Bob and I’ve been working together for about 3 months now — and every time I get together, I continue to be amazed by how compatible we are.  Bob is the person I’ve been dreaming about working with in just about every way.  He is confident, laid-back, flexible, respectful, creative, and of course, gifted.  We have a great deal of common interests and values, and our needs intersect in such a beautiful way, that our partnership makes so much sense.  I can’t wait to share the music we’re making together, and I’m hopeful that we can sustain our collaboration for a long time.
• A new job: And here’s the latest development — I also have a new job, which is an upgrade to the old one I had in just about every aspect.  When I set out to change my employment, I wrote down what I’d hoped to find — and I was being rather ambitious — and my new job is pretty much it.  It’s 100% telecommuting, with opportunities to consult, lead a team, and work on some very challenging projects that command 6- and 7-digit figures for budgets.  It encourages me to learn new things constantly, and tasks are varied and ever-changing.  Wow!

So, those are like four of the biggest pieces in my life — residence, marriage, life work, and employment.  I positively feel like I’m firing on all cylinders.  Having brought about these major positive changes does add to one’s self-confidence.  I feel like I successfully graduated from surviving to thriving.

Of course, I’m not done — there are smaller areas where I am pursuing changes right now.  I feel confident that I can make those parts fall into place, too, since I’ve been able to achieve bigger milestones in more important areas.

And above all, I feel tremendously grateful and blessed.  I am finally in a place where I can spread my wings, where I don’t have to hold back and make myself less than what I am.  It still feels a tad scary and uncomfortable, but I can get used to this.  :-)  It’s OK to have a good life, and now I can start to live a life that creates the kinds of impacts I always thought I was capable of.  By that, I mean doing works of bigger scopes and higher caliber, and raising a healthy, whole and conscientious family, where our children can thrive and eventually go out into the larger world, ready to make the greatest contributions they can.

Yep, I arrived exactly where I meant to.  Thank God.