Where to from here?

Well, 2010 is coming to an end. It's been a remarkable year. Our family has made great strides over the past 12 months, and have also made significant steps in important areas of our life. Milestone dates always serve as an opportunity for reflection for me. Jennifer is not as big on reflection. But I find it's important to remember where we came from to give the context necessary to put the present in perspective.

We've had several debates on reflection. She feels my need for reflection is driven largely from a deep seeded narcissistic source that fulfills my need to always feel as though I am moving forward. That may well be true, but I know I find great joy when looking back at the path that's been traveled. There is an exception to that, and I think it roots in my disgust in losing. If the path takes a wrong turn, or my path leads to undesirable outcomes, I will spend endless time dwelling and trying to learn from my mistakes.

Sports are not a vital part of my life. I enjoy watching sports, but I take them for what they are - a game (and source for entertainment). But I can't ignore the significance how my approach to competitiveness is reflected through sports. First of all, my favorite teams are the classics. They're all over the board, and not geographically or personally connected (drives Jennifer nuts). Cowboys, Lakers, Yankees, Penn State football, Kentucky basketball, and so on. Programs that are built largely on a legacy of winning, and have a perennial goal (most times) of winning a championship. I hate to lose. I like to go into any given season with the team that has the best odds to come out on top, thus the nomadic list of teams that have very little in common with my personal or geographical upraising.

Back to losing. If one of my beloved teams are playing in an important game and end up losing, it takes me to a place of focus that I rarely achieve in other areas of my life. I will watch as much post-game coverage of the loss as possible. The coach & player comments, extra coverage on the numerous sports channels, etc. It takes me to a place that provokes great passion from me. It may sound odd, but tapping into that passion really drives me to find ways to improve myself. This may be the most intimate relationship to sports I have. I find comparable passion in winning (and THRIVE in it). But winning doesn't often tap into the depth of passion I find when experiencing loss. I also can't learn as much from a good win. And I'm always focused on continually improving myself.

Sorry, I rambled a bit. But, back to reflection. We heard a great line in "Easy A" yesterday. "I don't know what your generation's fascination is with documenting your every thought...but I can assure you, they're not all diamonds. "Roman is having an OK day, and bought a Coke Zero at the gas station. Raise the roof." Who gives a rat's ass?"

I admit that's a bit excessive. But having a chronicle these days is very easy. I was telling Jennifer the other day that our grandkids won't have to crawl into the attic to find all of our family photos, they'll be a couple clicks away. Now, they might have to crawl into the attic to find this ancient device we called the computer, to access this ancient Western Union type communication medium called the internet.

This post was supposed to be about regulated thought. But in true Jason fashion, I got off subject and rambled enough to not even get to my point. I'll post about regulated thought next. Oh, I also have to tell you about the Celebration of Life Video. It's a solid idea.

Reflection serves as the foundation for me to know where I stand. And once I know where I stand, I can better understand where I need to go. Each day we are either getting better (making smart decisions) or getting worse. Leaning on history, and understanding your capabilities are great tools to use while building your future.

I wish everyone a great 2011! I'm blessed to be surrounded by a loving circle of people. I can only I hope to offer a link in your chain as well.

Jason