As 2014 Draws to a Close

How long ago May seems to be, but that is an indicator of our short termed nature.

Here we are on Sunday, December 28th and another year is rapidly setting as with the sun.  This provides an opportunity to reflect on my good fortune and the past year.

Yes, it has certainly been another interesting year. In slightly over 12 months we trekked about 10,000 miles across a good part of this country. I also spent business time from California to New York with other stops of a week or more at a number of states in between. And of course, there were my duties and obligations at BLMH.

Here at BLMH it was another drama laden year with the ongoing developments of the owner fireplace fiasco, the harsh winter of 2013-2014, the dash to complete eight large roofs, the replacement of the bridge on Thames but not the patio, stream repairs and of course, the culmination of four years of effort to get the north half of Lakecliffe replaced, which ended with an intense press to get this done. We even have a very, very modest fee decrease for 2015 via a cliff-hanger board vote with four in favor! This fee would not have happened if we didn't have a fully staffed board.

As I write this a sunny, but chilly day of 35F is drawing to a close. Not at all bad for this time of year, and nary a snowflake on the ground. Great weather for visiting family and friends.

This Year Didn't Simply Occur
This year was a culmination of about 10 years of constructive effort. It didn't simply happen. Some things I began in 2005 finally concluded after years of effort. I suppose I could say these things came to fruition, having been nurtured for a long time. That's the way it sometimes is. The economic meltdown of 2007-2008 certainly didn't help and some things I had underway took longer to complete than planned. In 2008-2010 there were some really angry and mean-spirited people who dumped their personal issues, problems and failures on anyone who was close. Some of this happened at BLMH but I encountered much bitterness elsewhere.  I suppose that is the way it may be when we feel we are trapped in our lives and lack the capacity for action.

I am happy to be at this particular place in my life. I see opportunities and have done what I can to create them. Now to step into them and create others. Living our lives presents choices and opportunities. I think it's a good idea to create those we can in a responsible way and then seize the moment when opportunity does present itself.

Looking for Community
That has always been a desire. However, community also is not something that simply occurs. I've travelled extensively and lived in many communities in the U.S. and so I speak from personal experience. Community doesn't occur naturally and effortlessly. It too is something that must be created. Clearly, there has been some confusion about the nature of the BLMH community. For those who live here it is not merely an investment, or an apartment complex. It isn't a retirement village. It is a unique "city within the City" which is aging and not very gracefully. I think I've successfully recognized what it is and I've honored what it is. That means I've operated consistent with that reality. Simply stated, I think it's a good place to live, had fallen into disorder and is a better place today. I suppose the one real surprise was the attitude of the owners about the board, the lack of interest in participating and the demand of a few that the board make it work "no matter what.". From my personal experience, I was surprised by this. Such is the nature of some communities and ownership in our society.

On a personal level, I was able to connect with my extended community in 2014. I was also successful at creating another community which is the direction I am going in. I was also able to redefine the nature of my relationship with business, various relatives and here at BLMH. Doing so has been a desire and I'm pleased to have accomplished this.

Doing these things creates opportunity in one's life. That's my opinion.

This section of the post is entitled "Looking for Community" and that begs the question, have I found a community?  I have the view that I live in a community and I always have. It will be what I make of it and my extended community includes Wheaton but I am also a member of a business community and then there is my family community and a community of friends. There is also a community of fellow travelers.

The Bottom Line
I'm glad 2014 is drawing to a close and nearly over.