Rounding Out 2007

I'm not sure what to make of 2007. Politically and economically, I'm just so incredibly frustrated. And when I see the budget cuts slashing themselves across non-profits, across education, across arts and forest/wildlife preservation, my heart gets a frown and my blood starts racing with fear and anger and uncertainty. But at the same time I get small smiles every time I see proud PDXers standing with their picket signs (I try my best to always honk "Good Jobs!" at them) and I just love, love, love reading people's bumper stickers; I'm happy to admit that I see MANY more "Stop This War!" and "No on 36" bumper stickers versus that War-Lovin' and/or "One Man, One Woman" bullshit.

I feel more educated this year, and I'd like to think (maybe accurately) that I've pushed my own personal boundaries in terms of exploring that gray area of Life (the Life outside and the Life inside). Politically, I'm thankful that Ben asked me to read Thomas L. Friedman's From Beirut to Jerusalem. I'll be the first to admit that many if not most of the "technical" historical details re: the history of the Middle East (and the current war) are fuzzy to me, and it feels great to place some balance into my understanding, from many sides of the equation. I also have done some personal soul-searching in terms of Life Goals and career goals, and re-evaluated what family and friendship mean to me and how best I can make my relationships as whole, complete, and satisfying as possible. (The most important relationship? The one with myself. I often forget that.) I've been devouring books like a fiend, not flossing as much as I should, not exercising as much as I should (although I'm slowly turning this around), sticking with my vegetarianism, doing well with my writing, loving Portland but starting to hate this dampness, this rain, this non-sun. 2007 overall feels a bit melancholy to me, and this is due to me and no one but me. I started to doubt myself, to lose some confidence in myself, and I am officially claiming 2008 to be the year of The Returning Tiger Warrior, my glitter spears in full arsenal mode.

2008: a year of writing, no (or, at least, less) drama, coziness, simple nights and simple day excursions (partly for simplicity's sake and partly for financial reasons), a few awesome visits with family, lots o' savin' in the starving lil' piggy bank, and tons of meditating, breathing, and honoring the details of the Web we all gracefully and lovingly live in.

Happy New Year, everyone. And may your 2008 be joyous and safe and strong.