First the bad. Undoubtedly, the worse thing that happened in 2009 was that I injured my ankle and had to have surgery to repair it. The recovery has been a slow process and I am still a ways off from being able to run, bike and play tennis. The injury gave me physical limitations causing weight gain and loss of motivation. Financial burdens have caused me much anguish in the past year. There were bad investment decisions that were very costly. I think greed had a lot to do with these gambles and they didn't pan out as planned. Those coupled with the new debt in the form of College tuition loans has been difficult. Strain and stress in my family relationships has caused me to seek professional counseling in 2009. Local 67 had a difficult time negotiating a labor agreement with my employer Canteen Vending. My job has been difficult due to the swelling and pain I endure in my ankle everyday.
Enough of the negative! What have I learned from all this crap and negative things that went on in 2009? What can I do to change them and how can 2010 be a better year for me and my family.
I think I need to be positive about the ankle. Be happy that we made the decision to have it repaired and realize that it will be a lengthy process. I need to continue doing the strengthening exercises and do what walking, jogging, and biking I can endure. I want to be playing tennis when the pool opens in May. Stop making excuses for not exercising. Get off my ass, put time aside each day and do it. I need to find an exercise partner either by joining a gym or convincing Maureen.
Financially, get on the right track. No more risky investments. Increase 401 contributions and eliminate as much wasteful spending as I can. Decrease the amount of college tuition loans. Look for money saving ideas, use coupons, shop at yard sales and stop bailing out children who also make bad financial choices.
With my family relationships, I need to continue to work on them. I need to show more gratitude and be thankful for what I have. Appreciate, them for who they are. Stop blaming myself for the poor decisions children make. My oldest made a very poor decision this past year. It's been very difficult on both Maureen and I. We can't blame ourselves. He will have to suffer the consequences of those actions. Of course I feel sorry and disappointed for him but I will not be an enabler. That crap and attitude will not go on under my roof.
With the high unemployment rate I am grateful that I have a good Union job making good Union wages. Many folks are not as fortunate. My job at Canteen continues to become more demanding all the time. The company is paying high wages and demands a lot from the drivers. I'll continue to strive to give them a good days work for the wages I'm paid. I'm thankful that I am the president of Local 67. I have been very fortunate to work under my friend and Boss Frank Myers. Frank has been a great mentor for me these past 5 years we have worked together. I'm going to continue to work to the best of my ability for both him and the members of Local 67. We will be up for reelection at the end of 2010. I'll need to be active in all the shops and with our stewards during the year to assure our re election in January of 2011.
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