Just over two weeks away from the due date. It’s hard to believe that we’ll have a new addition to our family roughly within the next month. I’ve thought about it a lot, but for some reason I haven’t blogged in a log time. Maybe I’ve had my standards too high for what constitutes a blog post. I hope that will change with this new year.I dreamed up a post about the highlights that happened in 2009, but without pictures it isn’t the same…and I’m still working on those pictures. I realize I just would be happier in putting my thoughts and creations out to share instead of polishing them.For now, please note my Twitter side bar to the right. Micro-blogging has been a lot easier to keep up with. I’ll update that with the latest news, and continue to post more constructed thoughts here. Stay tuned.
With health care reform in the news almost daily, I’ve been trying to educate myself on what is really going on. It hasn’t been easy. Following the politics can get very confusing, and finding inspiring models isn’t simple either. I haven’t really formed a definitive opinion of what reform should look like, but I did find a couple things I wanted to share.
I’m going to be a dad! We recently found out that Katherine is pregnant, and that she is due in mid February. It’s hard to fully comprehend this right now, but I’m slowly realizing my family is going to grow. I’ll continue to share more details here, as well as other details about this past Spring.
Gratitude. I’ve been trying to focus on gratitude more recently, and I realize it can easily escape my thoughts. It is very common to think about what I don’t have, or what I haven’t accomplished. Being happy with what I’m doing in the moment or what I have already finished is a lot more rewarding.
Here is a clip that a friend shared on Facebook that I really liked:
Last November I shared the news that I would be laid off in December. This came to pass, and I was lucky enough to find a couple short freelance jobs this winter. After two months of applications, I amazingly found a full time job. Believe it or not, the job is in my field, and at a company I wanted to work for. (Brella Productions) I don’t have to move away from the Chicago area, and I can continue to grow in my profession.
Jumping ahead, yesterday was the start of the Baha’i Fast. It lasts for a Baha’i month, or19 days. Each day Baha’is fast from sunrise to sunset with no food or water. I’ve been doing this since I was 15 years old and each year brings different blessings. I hope to blog more often this time about my process. Yesterday wasn’t too difficult, and it felt like the beginning of a journey. The first few days can be a challenge because I adjust my schedule to wake up earlier and I drastically cut back my caffeine. I’ll share more as it comes.
The economy is bad. I’ve been listening and reading news stories for weeks, but recently this really hit home. Last week I was notified that I would be released from my current job in about a month. It was a major surprise. After a few days to collect my thoughts, I realize it is not all bad news. I am leaving only because of budget issues, as in there were not enough funds, and half of the department was released. This job has been amazing when I consider the content I’ve worked on, along with who I’ve worked with. However, I think it would be really difficult to decide when to move on, and now I have a really big sign. In the last week I’ve updated my resume, made business cards, began a demo reel, and a launched a new website. Today I attended a job fair for my field. I feel like I’ve made a good start, but I’m cautious to be optimistic with the state of the economy. My contacts are starting to hear that I’m looking for something new, and it is exciting to consider a new challenge. Hopefully the places I’d like to work don’t have any more layoffs. Again, please visit mikebgray.com, and let me know what you think. Good luck to all those searching out there.