2008 Highlights and Revelations Leads To 2009 Master List

Megan Mallen — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:06:36 +0000

I write this and put it out there because then I’ve written it and it’s out there.

Personal Highlights in 2008:

In life, I married the most amazing man on the planet, and get to laugh with him every day.
In work, I tried some new concepts and participated in some new ventures and cool experiments. I established new working relationships and continue to better understand my business. This is good. :p
Two nights before my wedding I got to experience Torquil from one of my favourite bands “The Stars” give the official word at 2am NL time that “Barack Obama is the next President of the United States of America!!”. Where were you?
I saw a ton of great music.
I did a really fun hour-long webcast on ustream with Jim Louderback from Revision3 at nextMEDIA in Banff. Dodgy Internet though. (pics)
I had a fun interview with Dr. Richard Florida, “Who’s Your City?” in Banff.
I finally made it to France. It is heaven on earth.
I got sick too often. Not really a highlight, but definitely worth highlighting. In December, three times alone. I think I take pretty good care of myself, but clearly not good enough – I need to see someone about that. Any suggestions?

2008 Revelations:

As a woman, you are nothing without inspiring, trustworthy women in your life. I am forever grateful to mine.
There is such a thing as “social media fatigue”. I purposefully took somewhat of a “backseat” or an “incognito” position in 2008 to a degree. I was really selective about my participation and took more offline time. My revelation: I needed that, and it’s forced me to focus on what is important.
I will try not to use “these marks” so “much”.>/li>
Getting married puts you and your mate on some sort of next level of peace. It also puts you in a place where you are completely committed to working your arse off giving it all you’ve got.
Twitter is just easier and far more immediate than blogging: fact. I like that, but I miss writing.
Oh my god, where is my creative outlet?!

Those items listed above got me thinking at the turn of the year on January 1st, and into my official another-year-older on January 9th, and have led me to my Master List of 2009, in no particular order or relevance to the above. Call it resolutions, goals, whatever your fancy. I just like to have a list of “positive reminders” heading into another year. And, like the French, I’ll revise and review again in the *actual* new year that begins in September.

1. The small, insignificant things don’t matter. These aren’t the droids you’re looking for, move along.
2. Have compassion, don’t judge.
3. Love, support and encourage PJ in every way possible.
4. Accept people’s short-comings and move on.
5. Continue Laughing.
6. Work hard. No wanker policy.
7. Play guitar again.
8. Play piano again.
9. Go to bed EARLY, wake up EARLY.
10. Be good to my body: run, yoga and potentially a naturopathic Doc?
11. Read.
12. Write.
13. Italian!
14. Level 2 in WSET Wine Course.
15. Moisturize.
16. Floss.
17. Attempt that thing that Tracey and I have talked about to the nth degree.
18. *TRY* to be on time, or even early (a stretch), not 9 minutes late. (Inspired by Phil. Taken seriously.)

Up For A Yoga Challenge, Or Rather, Adding Some Structure?

Megan — Tue, 20 May 2008 04:33:38 +0000

I decided to do this Yoga Challenge thing. I bought a pass at Semperviva last fall for 3 months and really enjoyed my (mostly) daily practice (Cameron rocks). I signed up to be on their mailing list. I don’t particularly like mailing lists and avoid them at all costs, but I figured getting a peaceful reminder of what yoga has to offer me this month is a lovely item to have in my inbox every so often. I got one of their notes last week about a 40-day yoga challenge and I thought I could use a bit of that. I’m on day six and so far, so good. My body hasn’t magically transformed, not even a pinch, but I feel absolutely fantastic.

I enjoy Yoga. I used to do more of it and have found myself wishing as of late that I did more of it – isn’t that always the way with the practices and exercises we all know will make us feel better in the end? That’s one reason for starting this Challenge thing: I want to do more. Or is it: I need more structure?

I lived in LA 10 years ago for just shy of a year and practiced yoga almost every day (you kind of have to in order to survive that town). That was when I realized that taking an hour out each day is a really good thing. Then running became my daily meditation, and still is on some days. I am one of those people who loves running. The amazing shot of endorphins is one reason, getting in great shape is another, setting a goal and reaching it to run a marathon is another. But more than anything I think it is the structure I crave. It definitely feels good to have a daily physical regime. I think it’s important to take time out, even though I don’t do it nearly enough and I am guessing not a lot of people do. If you all do, please tell me your rhyme or reason in how you do it and how you keep up! It’s not enough for me to just say, “I’m going to exercise every day this week”. I need a goal and I need some form of routine and structure to get me there.

Hence the 40 days I suppose. It kind of feels strangely religious, the whole 40 day thing. I guess that’s not a bad thing considering Yoga comes from a very spiritual place on the Globe and “place” in general and it’s the most spiritual practice I’ve experienced. (Sorry mum, those Sundays in a church pew for my entire youth just didn’t cut it.)

Best part about this challenge: it’s ONLINE! These beautifully-sculpted lovely ladies give you a zen hour online – from grassy meadows, flowing rivers and mountain vistas in Wyoming. I enjoy yoga studios like the next gal, but I am really enjoying the online yoga at home. It equals structure for me and I guess that’s part of it too.

So now that I am challenging myself (as are two of my pals: Go Kel! Go Glen!), the challenge is out there to anyone and everyone. One hour a day, at your pace, in your own time, online, all for you.

megsjargon » Life

2008 Highlights and Revelations Leads To 2009 Master List

Up For A Yoga Challenge, Or Rather, Adding Some Structure?