2015 coming to a close in a mere few hours. In of itself it is just a line in the sand, an infinitely small moment in the time line of the planet. Of course in each of our own timelines they matter however short or long that may be, we could debate it. It is our accepted system to measure events in time, relative to one another. As I arrived at double fives, and AARP hounds me, I find myself taking stock more often, and at our appointed milestones of time.
In my personal journey I’ll be glad to see 2015 gone. Hunting was hard, business has me doubling my efforts and as hard as I could imagine. Loss in recent years of longtime friends and those that I trusted. Difficulties with family members which will remain private. My reaction to all the stress has my weight up, and I spend little to no time enjoying training, triathlons and running. Yes I actually enjoy the physical effort, but spend too much time in front of three 24” computer monitors. The news upsets me more often than I should let it, 365/24/7 campaigning cycles needs to be reigned in to give us mortals a break. The division in our country bothers me greatly as we suffer the manipulation bestowed upon us by our leaders and so called equal rights groups. I long for the day we value the quality of a person, their actions, their contributions, not their color, orientation, faith. Truthfully 2015 has been a most difficult spanse of time with far too many difficult people and disappointments.
This is one perspective I have, at times overwhelming. It is not my only one, and for my intent of writing this, a backdrop to contrast where my heart, my thinking ultimately ends up. If I where to leave this on such a sour note, I would just soon keep it private.
Perspective is everything. I am fortunate to have so many friends/followers on social media, facebook/Instagram. I may complain on the effort to stay afloat, to bring my business to the point it will last, and grow. To get past difficult/dishonest customers (thankfully only a few). I have no delusion that I work any harder than any of you as I know many of you work as hard, even harder just to get by. I may struggle to maintain our dream, our life as we envision it. I do know that I am fortunate in many respects. Keeping a roof over your head, any roof, is a basic need, a more difficult matter. Yet I read on your positive outlooks, whether it be losing your lively hoods, uprooting entirely, family tragedies, divorce, cancer, untimely death of family members, request for prayers, etc. Yet you carry on. You have my admiration and your living by example is an inspiration that has a profound influence in my life.
Hunting was a bit more difficult this year, but as those of you who share my affliction for chasing wild turkeys, we know full well how grounding it is to be at peace in nature’s theater we call the “Turkey Woods” My time to recharge my batteries this year outdoors was mostly during hunting seasons, even so, not nearly as many days afield as I would like. Something I sorely need to correct for 2016. Weight needs to drop, and I need to get my running legs back. My life ultimately does depend on it. Other than cholesterol, I suffer no health issues. A blessing in any perspective, by anyone’s book. As you may gather from my other musings whether it be chasing gobblers or a finish line, I’ll enthusiastically recommend the outdoor lifestyle to anyone willing to listen. My daughter Christina has taken on the challenge of a physically healthy lifestyle, and crossing the finish line with her at the Dallas R’N’R half marathon is a gem from 2015.
My other perspective has me appreciating what gifts, what good things I have in this life. Blessed with good health, grandchildren to spoil, starting on my 4th year in business, with the addition of new customers and projects to work on. Lee and I look forward to a 16 year wedding anniversary in 2016. Closing in on 20 years together. Most all of our families are great although we do have a few upsetting disappointments. The “other” real truth is my good, great in 2015 was not absent during what part of me perceives as a very hard year, and carries well over into 2016.
At the end of the evening I look forward to shaking off the difficulties of 2015, and focusing on the opportunities of 2016. Like New Years, and other holidays we celebrate, there will be hunting seasons I’ll anxiously await, birthdays to remember, anniversaries to cherish, and to build a year of memories to recollect come this time again rolling into 2017
Tomorrow morning should I awake (essential part of my plan) the rest of the year is up to me, no dress rehearsal.
Best wishes to all of you for the next 365 days and automatic renewal til further notice.
Spend your days well, live well, live large, have faith, love much, smile often, no regrets…
© 2015 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
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