Or “What’s the Takeaway”
I heard this U2 song on the way to work yesterday and it stayed with me throughout the day. A better title from the song for today’s post would be “there’s no going back, through hands of steel…” But that might not have been so recognizable so I’ll just go with the above.
The other week I had a meeting with several of my counterparts at work with our VP of Finance to go over budgeting and some "strategery" (just wanted to throw in a “W” word just to show how smart I amJ). At the end as we were wrapping up the VP said to us “so what are the takeaways.” I have heard that before but not in awhile and it got me to thinking, not just about our “strategery” session, but life in general. Isn’t it good to go through our experiences and assess “what’s the takeaway?” As I said earlier in the week I have an anniversary of sorts on Saturday, April 2nd (see here if you want more info). Yes, that is the day I heard about Ashley Madison and thus began this adventure I am now on and describing for you here. So with that in mind perhaps it is a good time to look back and see “what are my takeaways” from this experience. Although since I have only gotten to about last August in my blog I won’t do any spoilers today.
- After several initial failures I studied several AM consumer reports. One guy mentioned that he had some success but one outgrowth was that he had started to work out to get himself in physical shape. I had begun working out consistently about 4 months prior to registering with AM but this gave me a goal to work toward. After having some success I became driven to get in even better shape. I did a physical assessment a few weeks ago and I am in all excellent to very good categories for my age. In fact I participated in an intramural swim meet 2 weeks ago and whipped some college age boys (and I had not swum competitively since I was in college).
- Soon after reading the blog Ashley and Me I knew I wanted to put my tale on paper so to speak. I loved writing in college and had thoughts of being a sportswriter but didn’t. I have loved writing this blog and have enjoyed the feedback. In fact now I find myself wanting to go in different directions with completely different storylines. Maybe even try my hand at a book.
- If you’ve read this blog you can see I suffer from “nice guy syndrome.” I am glad to say that I have not forsaken being a nice guy but by having the ability to be a new person to others I have been able to be more daring without seeing the skepticism in the eyes of a familiar face. You bring no baggage to AM and the blogosphere; you are not pre-judged based on past behavior, so you are free to re-invent yourself in the manner you wish.
- I have really enjoyed meeting and corresponding with fellow bloggers! In fact, and this might be a bit of a spoiler, I rarely venture onto AM anymore. Blogging is way more fun and self-actualizing for me now. And not that this is anything crazy just realizing people are going through the same issues and feelings. One fellow blogger and I just e-mail back and forth occasionally and talk college basketball and NASCAR (go figure)!
- Oh and I tend to be a bit tight assed and prudish. Out here on the blogoshere I can open up. In fact I have had a virtual potty dialogue with another blogger, that is very atypical of me (don’t worry; it’s really not gross at all – just me being an assJ). But I’m glad to NOT be so tight assed! France, I'm failing at my own advise here!
- Candor - the state or quality of being frank, open, and sincere in speech or expression. Yes candor can be tough but in a world where so many tweets and blogs are so mean spirited I have found it enlightening and satisfying to hear the caring candor of several people in response to my story. And that gives me great perspective on how I should feel, how I should look at myself, and perhaps even where my path will go from here.
- Serenity Now! Just like George Costanza’s dad, the experiences on AM and here on the blog have given me the ability to silently say “serenity now” when things are not quite so good in other life ventures J
Anyone else want to share some take aways or just some "strategery!"
5 comments:
Your "takeaways" were extremely interesting to me, primarily because virtually all of them apply to me also. I have not been blogging much as of yet, but I do have friends encouraging me to do so.
Congrats on the AM anniversary and for making the cut as a blogger/author. You do write thoughtful and thought provoking posts.
Kind of a cool anniversary for you. Congrats! I think many of us start out on these sites for one thing and end up much more rapt with the blogging end of it.
All I would say my dear Ryan is thank goodness people like us have found the blogosphere and can feel a little less alone.
P.S. You are one of my favorites!
Interesting post. I'm also glad I had found this community here. And please, stay a "nice guy". There are enought bad people online and in real life. We looove nice guys!!!
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