Rock Star Moments

Michelle Sandlin circa 1981

One thing that I have learned, is that you don’t have to be a rock star to have rock star moments.  That’s what punctuating life is all about. Professionally I have received many accolades, but those are usually fleeting and less important to me than my personal rock star moments.  In business, you are often only as awesome as the last awesome thing that you did. That is also true in your personal life. Having said that, what do you think is the last truly awesome thing you’ve done? Go ahead…give it some thought.

As the new year approaches, one of the the goals that I set for myself is to have more rock star moments. It’s actually a goal that I set for myself every year. It’s how I challenge myself.

This year there are 3 specific areas in which I hope to achieve said rock star status in my personal life:

1. In my relationships
2. In my music
3. In my writing

In my relationships
This seems like a no-brainer, but it’s often the most neglected aspect of my life. Never again are the important people in my life ever going to have to question how I feel about them. As I write this, I am more than a little embarrassed to admit that I have not always given certain people the love and respect that they deserve.  They know who they are, and I hope that they also know that this has changed. More importantly, I have changed. In some respects, I have changed almost overnight. Sometimes it only takes one swift critical moment to affect sweeping changes in one’s life. Those kick-you-in-the-ass moments are every bit as impactful as the rock star moments.

In my music
Music has always punctuated my life; that’s a given. In 2012 I have gotten off to a really good start with my drumming, and I fully intend to keep it up throughout the new year. It is a passion for me, almost to the level of obsession. When I play the drums I am instantly transformed into the rock star I’ve always dreamed of being, even if in my own head. For next year, I hope that my ambition will find me on a stage somewhere performing with a band. I don’t care if it’s just one song, it’s something that I want to do and prove to myself that I can do it. You know what they say: “Feel the fear and do it anyway.”

In my writing
Even though this is number 3 on my list, I really consider myself a writer first. It’s one of those rock star things that I do, but without ever really knowing who is reading what I put out there. But yet, I write. I write because I have to.  It’s really as simple as that. So this year, I will be putting more of myself into this blog and the other writing that I do. It’s the thing I seem to be the best at, so it deserves more of my focus next year.

Pebble Beach, CA

I have lots of other goals for the coming year, but these 3 definitely top my list. Right now I am all about focusing on the things that are really important and relying on the rest to just somehow fall into place. I am also about shedding the things that no longer matter. I have wasted too much time worrying about things that I can’t do anything about and worrying about things that haven’t even happened yet. I am hoping that 2013 will be the year that I can finally let go of the negative things that weigh me down and give my attention to more positive things and get back to center. That’s why I love to take photos of California and the ocean. Seeing the ocean does something magical for me. It always has.

How about you? What are you hoping to do or change in 2013? What do your rock star moments look like?