2009 Retrospective

With an early January birthday, I’ve found that I tend to do my New Year’s resolutions on my birthday. January 5, 2010 marks the start of my 34th year, and I decided to take some time on my birthday eve to reflect on 2009. In addition to it being a suitable retrograde activity (FYI-Mercury is Retrograde from Dec 26-Jan 16), taking stock of recent changes really helps me clarify the next steps in any particular journey. Seeing how far I have come also provides inspiration, as forward momentum perpetuates itself. I encourage everyone to take some time out for quiet reflection. Even in the darkest of times there is a lesson to be learned.

2009 was a year of massive shifts-globally, locally, and personally. Some changes inspired hope; some inspired fear. But in various ways, the old crumbled to make way for something new. That’s the surprising up side of loss and destruction-it really does clear the slate for something new to be born in its place.

Miraculously, most of the change I encountered in 2009 was positive in nature, and I give thanks for my blessings every day. In an economy that continues to contract, I was able to secure an awesome new job at the University–right before the hiring freeze went into effect. Not only was the move a significant promotion, but I really, truly love my work. It’s interesting, challenging, and my co-workers rock. Considering the amount of time we spend at our day jobs, I know this kind of job satisfaction is priceless. I give thanks every day.

The other major change on the Steph front is the change in my living situation. After over a decade of living alone (and loving it), I traded in my single girl lifestyle for domestic bliss. In August 2009, after three years of long-distance love, James retired from the Navy and relocated to Santa Cruz. It doesn’t get much more major than that peoples To celebrate his retirement, we embarked on an epic, three-week Retirement Road Trip, before returning to Santa Cruz to merge our lives, belongings, and futures. The transition wasn’t without its bumpy moments, but now that I’m on the other side of it, I can honestly say that my life has changed for the better. James is an awesome partner and with him on my team, it really does feel like the sky’s the limit…

As we settled into our new routine, I turned my focus back to my writing career, which had been on the backburner most of the year due to all the transition-related chaos. After much soul-searching and research, in November I made the decision to go ahead and self-publish When Love Isn’t Enough in early 2010. Invigorated, I dove head first into the process, doing one final revision on the manuscript, shooting the image for the cover, hiring a designer. Then I was approached by my good friend and Kindred, Omar, with a proposition — what did I think about joining forces with James and himself to start our own publishing company? Hmmmm, you know what, that sounds like a GREAT idea!

So that’s where I find myself at the start of 2010–gainfully employed, madly in love, and on the verge of starting a business with two of my favorite people in the world These are exciting times, and I can’t WAIT to see what 2010 has on tap. I have a feeling it is going to be quite a ride…