Things I'm Happy About

Lots of people spend the new few days looking back on the year that was, and spend a great deal of time thinking of resolutions and things they want to improve on for the upcoming new year. My last resolution was in 2002, when I said I would get more exercise. Well, in the past six years, I've actually done more than know where my gym is, so I suppose I can't beat myself up too badly. I've just never been much of a resolution person really.

I don't think I'm perfect by any stretch, but I've always thought that if you want to improve something or change something, you should be able to do it at any time. The new year provides an easy inspiration for change, but change has to start with you believing that the change is something you can do. Let's face it, if you made a resolution to be rich within 6 months, there's a chance you might be able to do this. However, if you made a resolution to meet and marry a supermodel, chances are that probably won't happen. The chances are better that lightning will strike near you or the Seattle Mariners will win the World Series.

What I've chosen to do instead of resolutions is to look at the things in my life and be happy for the gifts I have, and be hopeful for upcoming events or changes. I am very happy for the Timbers and Timbers Army, without whom I wouldn't have such great friends and girl, the love of my life. I am happy for the Trail Blazers, who are giving this town a reason to be proud of them again. I'm happy for this city, which never ceases to amaze me with it's wonder, character and charm. I'm happy for my job, which gives me a good challenge and allows me to do many of the things I like to do. I'm happy for my family, which will be growing next year with my upcoming wedding. I'm happy for my friends who are there when I need them, for either a good laugh, good food or just good conversation. I'm ecstatic to be getting married to such a wonderful woman, and be able to share our love with everybody. I'm happy about being an uncle.

I'm hopeful that 2008 will be an amazing year, but there are things that I hope change. I worry about the direction of our country, where people just seem to be more divided about how they feel about things. Instead of a more inclusive approach, it seems more and more that the government is a "what's it in for me?" institution. I worry about our environment, and hope that people understand that it's important to do what we can to recycle and leave the earth in as good of shape as possible for future generations. I worry about the world that our children now live in, dealing with things and ideas that I wouldn't have dreamed about having to address until I was much older. There are still parts of the world that are angry, bitter, and fighting, and it seems like it just gets worse and worse.

But I feel that despite everything, the world will be Ok because it's resilient and just when you think things are getting worse, you see something good. My ultimate hope is that we can all find a way to live peacefully in this amazing place, and we can all look forward to many years together as one. Oh, and we get MLS in Portland, cause that would be so cool. One people, all together, loving soccer. Yea, that would be cool...