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I guess everyone's mind thinks back on the past year while we turn the calendars to the next year. I'm not sure that I have ever really made resolutions or evaluated my previous year, but I'm sure I thought to myself every year "Well, that was a pretty good (or bad) year" and "This time next year I would like to be in a better spot."
Of course, I still want to be in a better spot than I am now next year - who doesn't? But what I found completely strange is that my initial reaction when I looked back at 2014 was "That was a pretty good year."
Then I thought a bit deeper about the year and realized it was one of my toughest years yet. My very best pal, my dog Shea, spent the first 3 months of the year suffering with cancer until I finally had to make the call to send her over the rainbow bridge.
About 6 weeks after Shea's passing, I was back in the hospital with a triple abdominal hernia. A month after getting out of the hospital I was moving to another city.
I then wondered why my initial reaction was that it was a good year. Simple. It was a good year because not only did I survive but I thrived. Any of those 3 events could have broken me. I think most people who really know me were afraid at how I would hold up when Shea died. Hernia recovery was painful and frustrating. And considering how much I dislike change... moving is always ... umm... interesting for me.
The change that my boxing training has made goes well beyond how fast or hard I can throw a punch. It has taught me to fight and go after what I want. The endurance that I have developed in my exercising pales in comparison to the endurance I have developed in living my life. Yes, I got tired, knocked down and was WAY out of my comfort zone, but I kept focused and determined.
Did I meet every goal I set for myself last January? No. Honestly, I didn't. What I did achieve was more than I every thought possible the previous January. What I am most proud of is that I wasn't sitting here this January trying to figure out where to start. Instead, I was thinking of what I could improve. Sure, I have certain milestones (weight, goals, etc.) that I would like to hit. I will share them throughout the year, but I am not going to judge myself by these numbers and stats.
As my favorite, Mike Tyson, has said (and I a paraphrasing), he worked harder than anyone in his training and it paid off. That is my goal for the year... To always be the hardest working person in the gym while I am there. Other than that, no one is my competition. Not even myself... I need to move past fighting my old self.
I would be completely wrong if I did not acknowledge that this year of progress would not have been possible without so many family and friends who stood by my side and cheered me on. From my Family and friends in New York ... to those friends in North Carolina who cried with me, took care of me, helped me pack and just supported me. I don't like naming names because I don't ever want anyone to think I didn't appreciate them. I appreciated every bit of kindness that was shown to me. I am grateful for every encouraging word from those I know and those who I only know via social media. I am thankful to each and everyone of you... My parents for dealing with a miserable patient (and still sometimes a bratty kid)... Dan for supporting me moving... Liz for packing so much of my house... Lisa for being there when I said my last good bye to Shea... Amy & Katie for always supporting me and wiping away my tears.... and the list goes on. But the list would not be complete without thanking the trainer who became a brother, Adam. He has pushed me when needed... broke me when it was essential and has taught me as much about myself as he has about boxing.
I look forward to 2015 and wish all my best to everyone this year!
