Raul’s 2010 manifesto, one year later…
A year ago, well, to be fair, almost 11 months ago to this day, I blogged my 2010 Manifesto. I promised myself that in 2010, I would focus again on me, my personal growth and what makes me who I am. On becoming an integrated person again.
I promised I would focus on the following:
- Feeling an integrated person again.
- Dancing competitively again.
- Focus on my own personal growth.
- Coming back to competitive volleyball.
Feeling integrated for me was the most important part of focusing on my own personal growth. As an educator, and someone who was born to parents who were educators as well, I have lived a life of helping others. I teach, volunteer and give back to my community as though it was second nature to me. It’s imprinted in my DNA, I think. However, the drawback of this life training is that I am always focusing on others and I sometimes lose the focus and forget about myself (and at times, I work myself to sickness).
2010 was a key year where the most important word I learned was “NO“. I felt so incredibly guilty when PR people pitched me stuff and I had to say “NO, sorry, I can’t write about it / attend your event / do this or do that”. Even now, I still catch myself unable to attend events I’ve RSVP’d for because I am so overworked.
But the positive thing is, I do feel integrated again. I am exercising every day, I do my academic stuff, I teach, and I do consulting. And I do arts as well, while not dancing competitively, at least I am witness to at the very least one theatre production or dance show every week.
While I certainly did come back to dance, I did not come back to the competitive part. I learned a new style of dance (two-step) and I shared that experience with one of the people I love the most in this world. So, I think at least I came back to dancing. Moreover, I’ve been watching so many more dance performances this 2010, I think that counts too.
Around the time of my birthday this year, I considered shutting down Hummingbird604.com. It had become too much of a(n unpaid) chore. Luckily, I found a way to book time to attend to Hummingbird604 (sadly, still I work on social media and my blog over the weekend to devote the rest of my week to academia and consulting).
My Mom visited this year for a full month and my eldest brother A also came to Vancouver recently to stay a few days with me. I visited my brother S and his family in Calgary, and they all agree that they see me happy, fulfilled, super busy but integrated again. This was incredibly reassuring, because my family and loved ones are my priority and I always seek their advice.
I did not come back to competitive volleyball because this year I have been doing a lot more travel and it conflicted with my volleyball schedule. But next year I will be playing competitively again as this year I have been working out 6 days a week and feel much stronger.
In balance, I think 2010 has been very good to me. I have taught 2 courses (Global Environmental Politics and The Comparative Politics of Public Policy) I had never taught, and it was a great challenge. I revamped my syllabus for Environmental Politics & Policy this term entirely, so it’s been a year of innovations. My consulting is going great and I still have had time for my friends and my loved ones. My research has also taken off substantially.
In short, I think I kept to my manifesto, and I need to start thinking of what my 2011 is going to look like. I have not felt this fulfilled in a long, long time and I am excited about it and I’ll never apologize for being successful, because let me tell you, I have been in DARK places. And I survived and came out of those dark places, thanks in great part to my loved ones, but also to my long hours of hard work every single day.
As I said earlier this year, I may not have everything I want but I love everything I have.
Related posts:
- My 2011 Manifesto: Status Update at Mid-Year
- Dr. Pacheco’s 2010 Year in Review: Academia, Teaching and Research
- Raul’s 2010 Year In Review: Travel
- My 2010 Manifesto at the end of April – progress report
- Happy New Year – To a wonderful 2010
Makes me think that I should do a personal manifesto as well.
This year, for the first time, I am going to commit to a goals list (personal manifesto?) for 2011. Coming back from our trip, I feel scattered and unfocused…full of great ideas but lacking in direction. I’m hoping this exercise will reign me in and see some success at the end of the year. Thanks for the update!
I love the manifesto list and I feel so proud of you for what you have accomplished this year. Come do the Polar bear swim with me this New Years Day – after that is when I write my list – with a refreshed body and mind! xo
@ ihath – you probably should
@ Gillian – Glad to hear that you’re committing to goals!
@ Phaedra – thanks so much my lovely. I’d love to do the Polar Bear Swim (JT and I had talked about doing it last year) but I’m going to be on Vancouver Island from the 23rd of December to January 3rd. Can we meet before (or afterwards)? Would love to see you. And thanks so much for the kind words!