Brian Kirk

Opening these doors once again. Time to sweep up the dust and let some air in. A musty, misused smell has settled in that I don’t quite care for. If I’m to reclaim residence, some changes will need to be made, which suits me just fine. Change has become my friend.

2010 was a whirlwind. Drastic career change and radical family expansion, all occurring at once, like a supernova. It was a year of reckoning. A year of becoming. A magical year that I shall never forget.

But when placed to paper (or computer screen), these outward alterations appear shallow. It’s the internal shifts that carry in any sort of significance. To me at least. So, what did I learn from last year?

I was reminded that life is a wondrous mystery that is best lived in the present moment. Plans are nice, but terribly unreliable. And even the fondest memories fade. The only way to fulfill ones destiny is by beginning now. Right now.

It reminded me of how insignificant things are. Impermanent toys and possessions. I’ve found that the more one owns, the more vulnerable one becomes. There’s simply more to lose. That’s not to discount the joy in an occasional indulgence.

It taught me how sweet sacrifice can be. Especially sacrifice in the pursuit of one’s dream. Sometimes pork chops with powdered cheese grits taste just as good as a dry-aged steak with mushroom risotto, even when dribbled with the essence of truffle oil. It all depends on the intention of the act. Sacrifice can be a delicacy if it leads to a more fulfilling life experience.

I learned how narrow minded I had become. Being stuck in an unfulfilling profession, no matter how lucrative, can lead one to view life as a series of limitations, producing a close-minded outlook on the world. Pursuing one’s true calling can lead to a renewed understanding of the limitless possibilities that life has to offer, producing a more open-minded outlook. I’m shocked by how I allowed life to take on sepia tones. Once again life has become a shiny, happy, sparkling playground of possibility.

I was reminded about how intricately linked all of our lives are. How vital every single person is in this endless epic. I’m typing on a computer that sits upon a desk that resides within a room of a house that was built by people who used materials driven by people who received them from people who harvested the materials from people who… I used to look at other people as competition. Not any more. Now, I appreciate everyone. Even the people who look to profit at the expense of others. We all play a part.

And, finally, I learned that if you don’t write stories, they don’t get published. I wrote three stories last year; one of which was published and another is currently in short-list consideration by a major genre magazine (fingers crossed). But three stories? That won’t cut it. Not even close.

Last year was the year of change, molting the calcified shell, growing into a new role of father and full-time writer.

This year? This year is about putting all of my renewed energies into an impassioned pursuit of the improbable. And enjoying every moment along the way.

I hope you all are living the life of your dreams.

If not, I hope you get started on it today.