All fired up for more opportunities this new year!

Let me state upfront in this new year I’m well aware titling this blog post entry the way I did might come across as insensitive. Cos, after two weeks, the ravages of the recent California fires are still being felt in America. 

But the “fired up” analogy does capture to a large degree my thoughts as I pen this, my third essay blog post of 2025.

In the first, I wrote about the importance of more outdoor family time as we cycled into the new year on the 1st of January. For an introvert like me who’s not much into sports and recreation, you can’t cycle into the new year without some fire in the belly!

Apart from the great outdoors, I also have other reasons that make me all fired up for this brand new year.

Writing Opportunities In The New Year

Media Moments

Even before the new year began, two content websites have reached out to me for writing assignments.

Such a boost this early in the year to both my confidence; and, if I’m being honest, my ego as well!  

A third website platform had even pieced together some ideas from my old blog posts to repurpose them for a possible new post or two that will go up on their website in the weeks ahead.

Another coup was my first published piece last Saturday with the main English newspaper in my country (which I reposted that same night as my second essay post of the year). My first two attempts with the newspaper last year didn’t take, but I guess what many folks say still rings true: third time really IS the charm!

Here’s to more in this new year!

Maiden Memoir

My manuscript for my first book is also being mulled over right now to see if it’s worth publishing. Though I’m trying not to count down the days to next month. That’s when the publisher assures me I’ll hear from them, I’m understandably excited.

But more correctly, I’m grateful. Even if it doesn’t work out, just having someone agree to peruse my maiden manuscript is already a win! Though I’ve had other publishers see (and reject) my manuscript before, this time the manuscript is more ‘complete’. More importantly, this latest publisher reading it is a whole lot more receptive to my submission. Not to mention, tons more agreeable in their treatment and disposition towards me.

And, of course, I’ve so much still to blog, when my life continues to be colourful and interesting this year. 

Especially with — drum rolls please — the big move!

Moving Opportunities

I never thought it would happen again. But then some would say that 25 years is already a long time to stay in one place. So why not move now as part of our double “silver” anniversary (my wife and I will be married 25 years come April 2025!)?

Which is exactly what we’ll be doing this year.

Moving.

Twice!

First to my in-laws while I renovate my new house. Why not wait to move straight away to our new house you ask? Cos the buyer of our current apartment needs us to leave by March. And the seller of our new house can’t move out til March!

So by the time we make our (second) move to my new abode it’ll most likely be the end of June. Cos it’ll most likely take between two-and-a-half to three months to renovate, given that it’s fairly old and rundown right now.

Hopefully.

Although I will miss my apartment here in the “Far East”, moving does mean many opportunities to start anew. New home, new furnishings, new routes, and new routines. A fresh beginning to kick off the second half of this year.

There’s plenty in there to get fired up, right?

As are the opportunities that continue to show up for me as I move from communities last year to connections this new year.

Connecting Opportunities

Last year was a biggie for me in terms of connecting with dads in the father’s community I help administer.

This year, I’m seeing more such possibilities coming up, but perhaps more towards intimate connections. By that, I mean more one-to-one coffee conversations to deepen connections built from the previous year.

Since embracing what the wonderful writer David Brooks talks about in his best-selling 2023 book How To Know A Person, I’ve learned that honing better listening skills is so important for a writer and an introvert like me.

I’ve said before I’m not comfortable in crowded, noisy places. I much prefer a quiet, intimate setting to fully focus and engage with someone. It’s not that there aren’t occasions when I must be in a large group setting. I’ve helped facilitate interactions and conversations in the past or gave a talk or two here and there. Heck, my regular part-time gigs in tertiary educational institutions are all about me standing before crowds of 20 or more learners every time!

But to truly master the art of listening and connecting, I desire small gatherings of two or three. There I can more deeply engage with another person. To listen intently. To offer, and receive back from, another human being the priceless gift of our attention. Which is sadly something that’s in short supply in this digital age.

This year, I believe the communities I’ve been plugged into in the last two years will afford me these intimate connections.

So I’m all fired up and I can’t wait.

Bring it all on, 2025!