My 2014 Review - Proud of my accomplishments and mourning my losses

Here's How 2014 Began

As 2013 ended, I was enjoying an amazing meal inspired by Parisian Life in the '20s at a Michelin starred restaurant. As 2014 began, I was at a Industry Private Party at the same Michelin starred restaurant. I was wearing a Brooks Brothers suit and a festive bow-tie. I road my Dutch bike there because I wanted to experience the city and the weather in its most raw. OK, I also wanted to be smug with all the others facing $100+ Uber fares on that night. It was snowing heavily and cold even by Chicago standards. This book Bicycle Diaries inspired me. I was with beautiful albeit unpretentious people. I was with very talented chefs. I was drinking Absinthe. That last part was a mistake, mind you. And most notably, I was alone. I rode my bike home as the sun rose. 

I spent New Years Day eating collard greens, black-eyed peas and ham while watching my South Caroline Gamecocks soundly defeat my ex-wife's Wisconsin Badgers. There wasn't a revenge theme mind you. I just like seeing my Gamecocks win.

I was in a major life transition coming into 2014. 2013 was a year that brought significant life stresses. The Holmes and Rahe Stress Score rates life events on a scale that measures the impact that stress has on your emotional and physical well-being. My stress score was "You have a high or very high risk of becoming seriously ill in the near future." as 2014 began. I experienced death, death of a marriage, job loss, new job, international moves without proper inward reflection, exploration and mourning. I had not said goodbye properly to these seriously life altering events. Without really letting these things go, you just can't open your life to exciting new things.

Note I did not become seriously ill. I like to think it is because I have fairly highly evolved stress management outlets.

My Newly Crafted Goals and Life Plan

As part of the inward reflection process, I devoted much time to really focusing on what it is I want out of life and what I need to do to attain that. The end result of that process was fairly detailed Goals and Life Plan document. Oh yes, you're probably wondering what I wanted out of life too. Well, that is fairly simple. I wanted happiness primarily. I also wanted acknowledgement, validation and appreciation. I also wanted to impact other lives and minister to animals.

I defined goal dimensions, priorities and action steps. I described my current state. I imagined my future state and how that would impact my life mission. From all that specific goals emerged. Here they are and here's how I did in 2014.

My 2014 Goals and Progress Evaluation

Wow, I Have Really Done A Great Deal

World Major Marathons

The World Major Marathons are Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York and Tokyo. Having already done Boston and Chicago, I decided in 2012 that it would be a worthwhile goal to compete in the remaining. Doing so would support happiness on several dimensions; Personal Growth in Mind, Body and Soul and Health and Energy. I competed in London (2012) and Berlin (2013). I completed this goal by competing in Tokyo and New York City in 2014.

Frankly, the finish time of any of these races was very insignificant. Actually the race itself was no more than a compelling reason to travel the world. I like to experience the world by immersing with the locals and enjoying great food. I did that with gusto. Far more important though was the fact that I did these races for a cause greater than my self. I ran for Team PAWS Chicago and my efforts saved 27 animals as well as providing the immense joy that animal companionship brings to 27 people therefore bringing happiness to them too.

Language Fluency

I chose language fluency as a goal because it supported the dimension of personal growth. Language study supports the mind and opens the door to enriched travel experience and possibility of living in a foreign culture. I had very ambitious plans as 2014 started but decided to scale back at the end of Q1 2014 to focus more on Quantitative Software Development.

Explore the World

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.” ― Mark Twain, Mark Twain: The Innocents Abroad/Roughing It

I have decided to make travel a priority. It is very good for the soul and brings about much personal growth done right. In 2014, I decided that I would have one major travel adventure, one minor travel adventure and several long weekends. I traveled to Tokyo, Kyoto, Boston and NYC.

I also biked around Lake Michigan for a remarkable cause, ROW, that empowers Breast Cancer Survivors through the vehicle of a rowing team and fellowship. I felt empowered as well by experiencing the entirety of Lake Michigan all via pedal power at the speed of 15+ mph. I was scared in a good way when I started, I was equally exhilarated in a good way when I finished.

It should be strongly noted that just going somewhere to check it off a bucket list is a meaningless and empty endeavor. Everywhere I go I make it a priority to stay in an actual neighborhood, interact with locals, and eat local. I experience what makes that locale different and unique.

Lumosity Fluency

Lumosity is a "brain" cognitive training module. Scientific studies support that cognitive training is good for your mind. In fairness, some studies debunk this and claim the only thing that cognitive training does is make you better at playing the specific game. Regardless, I enjoy this and thus it supports the goal domain of personal growth. I made this a priority and did it an average of 6x per week for 2014.

Loving Relationship

I recognize that putting a time box on attracting love in your life is a fool-hardy endeavor. That said, I did seek such in 2014. I didn't find it. I suspect I was subconsciously blocking myself from intimacy and the reason for such was that I have not fully processed the loss I have experienced in this area.

Good Dog Dad

I was an awesome dog dad in 2014. I chose to be so because I strongly feel that my life's mission is to minister to animals and that they in turn are my Angelic messengers of God's infinite love. They ask for so little and in return provide unconditional love. 

Sadly, I lost my beloved Dalmatian Suzy Q at 11 yrs on the day before Thanksgiving. I held a Memorial Service for her and communicated with her via an Animal Intuitive. This greatly assisted me in processing the loss and grieving. I know she lives in my heart and we will be reunited in Heaven. Her physical presence is still missed on a daily basis.

And the Rest

The remainder of the goals are admittedly dry and a bit straightforward. They are as much means to an end as they are accomplishments. I won't bore you with the details of Conditional Value-At-Risk readings, Professional Sports Player Replacement Value models, R Programming nor my Portfolio returns. Each of these though were rewarding in that I stated that I wanted to do them and went out and made it happen.

What Will 2015 Bring?

Here's How 2015 Will Begin

I have dedicated the last day of 2014 to reflection, processing, letting go, closure, celebration and putting 2015 plans to paper or the digital equivalent. I am doing this while enjoying a glass of a favorite Spanish Cava.

I will end 2014 with another excellent meal at a Michelin starred restaurant. I chose an earlier seating because I want to ring in the New Year at home with my beloved Basset Hound Sweetpea. I can't think of anybody else with whom would rather do this.

My 2015 Goals and Focus

I am equipped with all I need for my life journey. These goals are but a means to learn, grow and love.... and then love some more from a place of self-love. They look a fair amount like my 2014 goals because those supported my life mission. There are however some important changes that are made in the name of life balance and a more authentic life.

2015 Goals - What Great Things Will Come My Way?

Changes for 2015

Funeral for a Significant Life Love

My first change for 2015 will be working on truly letting go of a deep soul connection that has stood in the way of my attracting a loving relationship. I was very recently blessed with the knowledge of the true reason for my marriage ending. I also received some additional validation on other events I somewhat suspected. All of this knowledge will greatly facilitate closure as well as really let me know what was going on with my love so that I can help her on a soul level.

As it sounds, I will have a formal bereavement. I will honor the happiness. I will let go of the bad. I will enjoy music that was meaningful. I will write a eulogy. I will give our meaningful relationship the funeral and pyre it needs.

Lastly, I will reach out and restate my forgiveness and offer the help I now know she needs from me.

Move Yes But With More Balance

I enlist several trusted counselors to review my goals and provide input on my life direction. One very powerful input was that I had always taken care of my mind through continual learning and body through athletic challenges but I was imbalanced because I neglected my heart and soul.

I am going to correct that. For every language lesson, risk management reading or quantitative software course I am going to devote an equal amount of time to meditation, prayer, and the simple act of giving Sweetpea a belly rub. For every run or bike ride I am going to attend an Astanga Vinyasa Yoga session.

Two Woofs Are Better Than One

A Basset is an Asset. Sweetpea needs a friend. She has lived her entire life with Dalmatians. We've decided she deserves a like-minded companion so we're going to rescue a Basset Hound.

A Spiritual Pilgrimage of 1000 Lifetimes

I walked the Camino de Santiago in 2012 as a Spiritual Pilgrimage. I am called to do this again. This time I will walk the only other World Heritage Pilgrimage in the World, Kumano Kodo Trek. I am excited to prepare for this on both a spiritual and physical level. Like my Camino, I am going to do this entirely on my own thus embracing the additional challenges of language and cultural barriers.

Race Around the World - Africa

I've already raced on North America, Europe and Asia. Next up on my continental challenge is Africa. I am going to race in Africa and explore South Africa. Besides running, I plan to explore the savannah reserves for wild life, swim with Great White sharks and explore, explore, explore... And rest assured I will eat well too.

Advanced Portfolio and Risk Management Bootcamp

Really deep applied math and financial engineering fascinate me. I am going to attend the premier boot camp of its kind at NYU Stern this year. The top professionals in the field will be there to present. I will absorb this information and become engrossed with the subject matter.

It's Going to Be a Great Year

Long story short, I intend to become more loving. I intend to become more learned. I intend to explore more of this great planet. I open my heart completely to all of these experiences.

I am going to enjoy this ride.