New Year, New Reflection

Every year around this time, there's a large amount of talk related to resolutions and what a person would like to change in the coming year. Why does it take the end of a year to foster change? If it is something that needs to be changed in your life why wait for the new year? Just do it. We are creatures of procrastination and against change. As stated in this article, New Year's Resolutions Don't Work, there are four reason why they just don't work!  Resolutions can also be considered "false hope syndrome," as identified by Professor Herman in this article Why People Can't Keep Their New Year's Resolutions. Lets face it procrastination sets in and resolution just don't happen. It's a counterintuitive process. We should drop the misconception that if you don't have a resolution you're content at staying where you are . It's been a tumultuous year with various mishaps throughout the U.S. and world. Let's be honest with ourselves and set goals that are attainable. And as always, we should be grateful.

I am grateful for the start to another year. I have a wonderful family and I'm happy where I am. This doesn't mean I don't want change. Quite the opposite. However I am appeased at cherishing my current state. In this new year I will likely improve upon some of my existing personal goals. Strengthening in some and progressing in others. It's an ongoing process with which I have a PLAN. 

Some things I've realized in 2015 from my experiences or by seeing others close to me: 

• "Life is too short to try and please everyone." - I know this is a highly used clichè, but never more true in my life nowadays. 
• "Not everyone is your friend nor should they be." People come and go. People will dislike you for reasons you don't know. Don't care enough to let it affect your well being. 
• "Some people are content on being unhappy and don't want any help. They would rather pull you down." Just leave them be and move far far away. 
• Bouts of anger do absolutely nothing unless funneled creatively toward a solution or an expressive positive outlet.
• "Remain humble." We were all once beginners.
• Confidence accounts for a lot. Don't discredit this situational altering sense. If you think you'll fail, then you probably will.
• Sometimes being acknowledged as being correct is not worth fighting with a stubborn person. “Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.” -Mark Twain

The Architect in me has learned: 

• Figure out what is important in the larger scheme of things and prioritize based off that. 
• Being shy and quiet gets you nowhere. Let your voice be heard, interact and participate. 
• Being busy is overrated. Being efficient with your time is a much better means to better productivity. 
• "Work hard but make time for your love, family and friends. Nobody remembers PowerPoint presentations on your final day." -Chetan Bhagat

And lastly overall.. 

"Run from procrastination but don't chase perfection." -J.W.Smith

Original cover image by Pixabay 

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In this new year, lets start by helping others.

​The participants of this ArchiTalks blog post series are asking you to help a friend of ours who is dealing with a family tragedy. Rusty Long is an Architect based out of Portsmouth, Virginia, whose son Matthew is fighting for his life. Here is Matthew’s story, as told by his Dad, Rusty:

Matthew Long was born May 29th, 2013, happy, and seemingly healthy. Less than two days later his mother and I found ourselves in an neonatal intensive care unit waiting room, listening to a rushed intensive care doctor explain how our son needed immediate dialysis to save his life. The disease, he briefly explained, was one of a group of disorders called Urea Cycle Disorders, which impact the way the body breaks down protein. We later discovered that Matthew's particular variant is called OTC Deficiency, a particularly severe form of it in fact, which results in a rapid rise of ammonia in the blood, called hyperammonemia, resulting in devastating neurological damage. This form of OTC is so severe, Matthew has virtually no peers who have survived it. Once the immediate crisis was arrested, we came to find out more about the disease and the impact of this initial event.

The disease is inherited, and the damage is permanent. Treatment consists of a combination of medications, low protein medical diet, and ultimately a liver transplant. Matthew was fortunate to experience no additional hyperammonemic events in the following fifteen months of life, and had a liver transplant on August 24th, 2014. The cure for the disease, a transplant, isn't so much a cure as trading one condition for another. While we will never risk the chance of another ammonia spike, Matthew is on a half a dozen or more medications at any given time to avoid rejection. Despite these challenges, intensive daily therapy for cerebral palsy (a result of the initial damage), limited motor function, and various other challenges along the way, our son is remarkably happy and has changed all our lives for the better. He's taught us to be stronger than we ever thought possible, to have faith beyond human understanding, and the immeasurable value of life.

The #ArchiTalks community is hoping to raise $5,500 to help Architect Rusty Long and his family reach their financial goal on HelpHopeLive.org. If each reader of this post contributes a small amount, our impact will be massive and we can make a difference for Matthew’s family. 

Click Here Now and Donate $2.00

PLEASE SEE POST FROM MY FELLOW ARCHITECTS!

Rusty Long - Rusty Long, Architect (@rustylong)
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Enoch Sears - Business of Architecture (@businessofarch)
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Bob Borson - Life of An Architect (@bobborson)
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Matthew Stanfield - FiELD9: architecture (@FiELD9arch)
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Marica McKeel - Studio MM (@ArchitectMM)
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Jes Stafford - Modus Operandi Design (@modarchitect)
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Cindy Black - Rick & Cindy Black Architects (*)
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Eric T. Faulkner - Rock Talk (@wishingrockhome)
New Year, New Underwear

Rosa Sheng - Equity by Design (@EquityxDesign)
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Michele Grace Hottel - Michele Grace Hottel, Architect (@mghottel)
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Stephen Ramos - BUILDINGS ARE COOL (@sramos_BAC)
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Eric Wittman - intern[life] (@rico_w)
new year, new [engagement]

Sharon George - Architecture By George (@sharonraigeorge)
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Brinn Miracle - Architangent (@simplybrinn)
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Emily Grandstaff-Rice - Emily Grandstaff-Rice AIA (@egraia)
The New New

Anthony Richardson - That Architecture Student (@anth_rich)
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Aaron Bowman - Product & Process (@PP_Podcast)
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