It’s a new year by the calendar and in my time on OS. Yesterday was my first anniversary on Open Salon. Like some others, such as Brian B, I started with 25 Things… I have not been a prolific writer, only a prolific reader who at times writes comments prolifically.

The year I had on OS and in other experiences was deeply intertwined. The big events of the year were things I wrote about. The very best thing of 2009 was quitting smoking after decades of thorough addiction and habit. January 2, 2010 marks six months smoke-free! I feel not only smoke-free, but free of the need to factor in smoking in any part of my life. That makes a larger impact on my life than most people can imagine.

I have been MIA since mid-October when I wrote a week-later follow-up to my other big event of 2009. I was fired after ten and a half years. Ten and a half years of long hours and total dedication.

I haven’t wanted to write about all that I have been going through in working through that loss, looking for a new job and financial challenges. The pain and trauma of being fired has elements that I need to think about in order to understand and to learn what I need to take away, but mostly it needs to be kept firmly in the past. I need to see it retreating in my rear view mirror.

As far as the job search and all the rest, it would be neither instructive nor entertaining if I wrote about it. Also, I’m one of those people who are not helped by talking/writing much about my “troubles”. I prefer to just keep moving, dealing with it all a day at a time, looking ahead.

Because I look to take something positive from whatever life hands me, there have been some benefits to being unemployed. I’ve had time to do things, like digging through belongings…culling out, throwing away, giving away, reorganizing, and cleaning out files. That stuff is terrifically satisfying. I took long walks, watching the autumn leaves develop and fall and studied leaves and trees. I’ve worked on some habits connected with working too much and making work too important.

2010 – I have a temp job that will go awhile longer. There’s a job prospect that I have hopes for. Now, I’ll just see where the year takes me. ..I will let you all know.

***I wanted to put in links to other posts, but though usually I can figure out that sort of thing, I’ve never managed to do it.***