Bye 2012.......

So once again 2013 will begin as 2012 finishes..... Technically that's because time doesn't stop... Thankfully I have in the last few days enough to think about this year and what it has brought me in both positive and negative experiences.

So what does that all mean in the real world of my life.......

Well I suppose this year has been a year of discovery. I have taken lots of steps out in faith this year and to be honest, I feel that I'm a much better person for it. At the start of the year, I asked God to challenge me and push me further than I had ever gone before. To some that might seem like a dangerous challenge especially with the stuff that I already commit my time to and the people around me.

This is what happened. Doors that had half been opened were either closed or fully opened and revealed to me was a life of purpose and a life of challenges. That being said, there was lots of challenges and moments of doubt, but in the end, I pushed forward and have come out the other side with a greater sense of life and purpose.

2012 has been a huge year for performances and travel. I have continued to travel to Melbourne for the Big band and have played some decent gigs both in Melbourne and Home. My trio was stand outs at the Mildura Jazz Festival and the Big band continues to innovate and grow in it's friendship, intent and musicianship. I have also done a fair amount of writing and performing for others and really this hopefully will just be the beginning of another chapter of my book called life.

For those who have followed this blog or FB or Twitter, you would know of the 2011 heartache and stresses in my family. Well we have truly been blessed in 2012 with continual healing and also a sense of stability. It's been a sometimes a hard slog in the last 18 months, but I am so proud to be a part of this family. There is some unknown times ahead but I know that there is a plan and all I can do is let the big guy upstairs deal with that. More nieces and nephews and the odd wedding in the extended family... btw no wedding plans for me yet in case you're wondering... Not even close :S

Work life for me has been interesting... I just can't seem to shake this impulse to be a workaholic or at least spend a huge amount of time working (which would probably classify me as workaholic). I know very well the life balance and it is something I struggle with. I guess in some ways being young and single has allowed me to spend more time working so that those with a family (wife and kids) can spend more time with them. I value families and my own, and they allow me to do what I do because of the investment they made in me as a young person. The music program continues to grow and I feel so proud of all of the students involved. Some amazing kids that have a way of making me tear my hair out but only feel amazement in their abilities all at the same time :P

2013 will continue to see growth... I know my work there is far from done although sometimes I do wonder (I guess that is normal).

This brings me to Friends:

What can I say..... I have lost contact with a few. It is sad and it something that I never wanted to do, but Life is funny like that... Sometimes they are there in person for a short time but their time is always of value. On the flip side, I have made new friends and reconnected to others. It is a process that I still struggle with sometimes, but I know that the ones that are special are the ones that on my heart everyday and are always in my thoughts.


So what is 2013 going to bring me:

I DON'T KNOW :S

I guess I know what I would want, but I am approaching 2013 with the same approach I had for 2012. I am going to be more patient with what I think I am looking at doing and I'm going to see what doors open and shut. I have been thinking a lot lately about the transition in my life from childhood to who I am. In many ways I am a very different person, in both attitude and passion. One thing that has never changed is a passion for doing the best I can with what I have been given. There is a time and a place for everything. I cannot imagine what is going on in front of me when it comes to do with life. Maybe I'll get bowled over by some amazing person and my world will flip upside down, maybe I'll take on some more travel and adventure, maybe nothing much will change and I'll just continue walking down the road taking everything in....  I don't know and right now it's about being thankful for what I have, who I have become and what I can be in the future through living the life that I lead.


I am going to leave you with something that to some will seem way out there for me, but is said with the greatest of sincerity.

I LOVE YOU ALL and THANK YOU for all that you have supported and encouraged me doing during  2012!