January 2025 is in the books 

As the first month of the new year wraps up, I’ve been thinking about everything that happened in January. It was a pretty awesome month filled with both professional growth and personal wins. This January, I decided to focus on networking, both at work and with friends, and it turned out great.

Professional Networking: Making New Connections

On the work side, I put a lot of effort into networking. I had some good chats, and built up my professional network. It’s been totally worth it. I made new connections that could lead to cool opportunities, and I also caught up with some old colleagues who had a lot to share.

Personal Networking: Reconnecting with an Old Friends

On a personal note, January was special because I reconnected with a couple  old friends. We used to be really close, but life happened, and we lost touch. This month, we finally caught up and rekindled our friendship. It felt like no time had passed at all, and we had a blast reminiscing about the good old days.

This reunion reminded me how important it is to keep up with personal relationships. It’s easy to get caught up in everyday life, but taking the time to reach out can be super rewarding. We laughed a lot and shared some great memories, proving that true friendships can last through anything. 

Personal Success: Family Time and Joy

January was also a big month for personal success and healing. I spent a lot of quality time with my family, which was amazing. After losing my wife, I used to feel guilty whenever I was happy or having fun. But this month, I learned it’s okay to enjoy life without feeling bad about it.

Being with my family brought me a lot of comfort and strength. Whether we were eating together, playing games, or just hanging out, those moments were priceless. I realized that my wife would want me to cherish these happy times and continue finding joy. This acceptance has been a huge step in my healing process.

Looking Ahead: Growth and New Opportunities

Looking ahead, I’m really optimistic about what’s to come. January has set the tone for a year of growth, both at work and personally. I’m committed to keeping up my networking efforts, nurturing my relationships, and exploring new possibilities.

In my career, I’m excited to take on new challenges and work on projects that I’m passionate about. I’m looking forward to collaborating with others and contributing to initiatives that can make a difference.

On the personal side, I’m focused on staying connected with friends and family and embracing life’s joys without holding back. I’ll continue to honor my wife’s memory by living a life full of love, laughter, and meaningful experiences. Jackie and I  spoke a lot about what the future holds after she was gone. She never wanted to be a roadblock in me being happy.  I am ready to take those next steps in my future. 

Conclusion

January was a transformative month for me. Through networking, reconnecting with old friends, and spending quality time with family, I’ve gained valuable insights and experiences that will guide me in the coming months. I’m grateful for these moments and excited for what lies ahead.

Here’s to a year of growth, meaningful connections, and personal fulfillment. Let’s all find the courage to reach out, reconnect, and enjoy the happiness life brings.

 

Life is Funny

I talk about making myself available, reconnecting with old friends, and making myself available if someone needs help. 

Ironically, I reached out to a friend/Co-worker from 10 years ago to say hi. It turns out they were going through a struggle. All I did was ask if they wanted to meet, grab a coffee, and talk. 

Well, they did, but due to scheduling, the only day was yesterday evening, or it would have been a month, but I talked about my friend's struggles and shared some of my own. Anyone who knows me knows I am not great at share well or ask for help enough. I have been told that is the Norwegian in me. It is why writing this is difficult for me. 

It was a small thing, and I hope it helped, it was definitely a positive experience on my end. I am hoping that I can my help my friend navigate moving forward.  

The Moral is that alot of people are going through struggles. Reach out offer an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on. Moving**Life is Funny**

I've been thinking about the importance of making myself available, reconnecting with old friends, and offering help when someone needs it. 

Recently, I reached out to a friend and former co-worker from ten years ago just to say hi. I was surprised to discover that they were going through a tough time. All I did was ask if they wanted to meet for coffee and talk.

We managed to arrange a meeting for yesterday evening, which was the only possible day due to scheduling conflicts; otherwise, we wouldn't have connected for another month. During our conversation, I learned about my friend's struggles and decided to share some of my own experiences. Anyone who knows me can attest that I'm not great at opening up or asking for help—I've been told that’s the Norwegian side of me. This is why writing this is challenging for me.

Though it was a small gesture, I hope it made a difference. It certainly felt like a positive experience for me. I aim to help my friend navigate their challenges moving forward.

The moral of the story is that many people are facing struggles. It's important to reach out, offer an ear to listen, or a shoulder to cry on.  The worst thing that can happen is you reconnect with a friend, and have a fun evening 

**Life Changes**

It has been a while. Life changes fast. I lost my wife to brain cancer in April 2024, and my mother in March 2021. I left my job and started a new career with Paradigm Fleet Services, but my wife's illness got in the way. I took eight months off to be with her, and we had some good days as well as some bad ones. Eventually, I left that job and took a new position back with Johnston Chrysler on January 2, 2025. 

During this time, I have had interactions with people that were strange, weird, and wonderful—all of the above. For my 30th birthday, my wife gave me a coupon for a tattoo. Twenty-eight years later, I finally cashed it in. She wanted to see the design before she passed. I also got a second tattoo symbolizing the important people I've lost—six ravens, representing both Norse and Native American mythologies.

In 2024, we celebrated the first of my nieces and nephews getting married. It was pretty awesome, but I felt a lot of emotions, missing Jackie. I am truly blessed with wonderful family and friends.

I believe that 2025 is going to be my year. I intend to rise from the ashes like a phoenix—this might be my next tattoo. I have been reading a book called *The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck* by Mark Manson, which is truly worth the read. The main message is to take responsibility for your situation, learn from your mistakes, and recognize that there is no such thing as perfect. We only have so many “f*cks” to give, so don’t waste them on the undeserving.

This year, I will navigate a new position as the Commercial Fleet Manager for Johnston Chrysler. This position didn't exist prior to my rejoining the team. I will also be entering the wonderful world of dating in the 21st century. I’ll be going on my first first date in over 30 years, which should prove interesting! Swiping left and right isn't really my style, but who knows? It’s a big step for me to put myself out there. If it doesn’t work out, I won’t waste one of my “f*cks” worrying about it.

Getting back in shape, both mentally and physically, is important to me. I'm taking some time for myself. The realization that I have too much stuff, I have starter to declutter my house, and my head. 

This summer next-in-line niece is getting married in the summer which will involve a trip to the West Coast with Family. 

This year, I strive to be a better person and more helpful to others. If someone is struggling, I want to be there for them—a friend to talk to, a shoulder to cry on, or just someone to tell a stupid joke to. I recently experienced a year where just knowing someone was there for me was incredibly important.

I look forward to reconnecting with many friends that I have let slip away. I plan to make regular entries to document this journey and share funny stories—there are always funny stories!

I am excited for 2025. While I will never forget what I have lost, I won’t let that be a roadblock as I move forward.