Welcome to 2021!
I’ve never been big on New Year’s Resolutions, but I made one this year: In the next 12 months I will work toward becoming a writer.
When I started my university career almost 30 years ago I was greatly interested in writing, and dreamed of one day calling myself a writer. Unfortunately, I quickly let life intrude on my plans, stopped writing for myself for enjoyment, and the only writing I’ve done for the past 10 years has been for work or emails.
In the past 10 years I’ve also noticed I’m not reading as much. Before I went back to school for Geomatics I would have a book on the go at all times, and would read every night before I turned out the light.
A couple of weeks ago my wife and I decided that we weren’t going to bring our devices into our bedroom anymore. We were spending 30 to 40 minutes every night on TikTok or Facebook or playing games on our phones or tablets before bed. We both complained about not sleeping as good, not going to sleep early enough, and being tired and cranky the next day. It was time for a change.
I started this blog as a way to start writing again. I took a bit of break since Christmas, but I intend to have a new blog written each week (maybe even twice a week). Please be patient with me as I work to improve my writing skills. It’s a skill that’s definitely easy to loose if you don’t practice.
I remember getting a copy of Stephen King’s book “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft” when it came out in 2000. It made me want to spend time every day doing some writing. I wish that I had started that habit 20 years ago!
Everyone is looking for a silver lining or something positive that has come out of the past year. Let’s face it – 2020 was a burning dung heap of a year, and most of us wish we could forget it ever happened. My silver lining, which lead to my resolution for 2021, is a renewed appreciation for writing and the desire to one day call myself a writer.
Where ever you are and whatever adversity you faced in 2020, I hope that you found a silver lining and are working towards something that you’re passionate about!
All the best to you and yours for 2021!
Noel
Geomatics Guru 