The Year of Patience

2007 was a Hell of a Year.

At the beginning, like, everyone else I put down some resolutions.. some of which I actually did, such as taking the writing class and the photography class, writing a short story, and strength training + losing 6 pounds (although I gained it right back a few months later).

But there are things I achieved that I had not planned out to do at all, but which turned out to be major. First, after much hang wringing I left the World Bank and joined a environmental research think tank to work on clean energy and finance issues. And that was scary - leaving the security (and money) of WB  - but its turned out to be one of the best calls I have ever made in my life. Its turned out to be a spectacularly good fit for the weird combination of skills I have, and for my reading-writing-isolating personality, as well as an amazing place for leadership and personal growth, even though I haven't even yet taken advantage of all that.

Second, I really put on the Big Boots and tackled my convoluted finances, paid off my b-school loans in its entirety, bought a condo in DC, and put some cash away for a rainy day. It feels really good to be in control of one's financial future. And charming to live in one's own home. I feel like my feet are firmly planted on the ground, and on a piece of ground that I own.

Third, kicking and screaming, I started to date. It wasn't all fun, and most of the time I felt like "someone please shoot me" and 'seriously, do I have to do this?". But eventually I met someone amazing. Then circumstances intervened and that changed too. But all these were phenomenal experiences, which more than anything demonstrated to me that I really don't know much about what turn my life is about to take. Like who woulda thought that things would come to pass the way they did.

But most of all, there are the immeasurable things - 2007 was the year of Patience, of being alone, of discovery, of learning how to depend on myself. It was the year of confidence, of faith, of knowing that it was all going to be ok no matter how my life ended up. It was the year of small step slowly taken, like little pitter patter baby steps, but lots of them, and its added up. It was the year of coffee, and good reading, and endless conversations late into the night. It was the year of living freer, feeling stronger, making choices that matter. It was a spectacular year.