Probably my best photo of 2016

Eat Me, 2016

Let’s do a quick review of what I learned in 2016:

• I finally had to own the fact that I was a naive jerk, living in my white bubble of privilege, where contrary to every piece of local and global news, I believed that humanity, for the most part, had moved beyond racism, discrimination and the relentless persecution of those not like “us”.
• I successfully started a new business that is now paying me poverty wages. Go me!
• I dreamed of fame way more times than I actually got down into the muck of grinding through the suck.
• I met some pretty amazing folks and also blocked and was blocked by an equal or greater number of asshats.
• I had the most productive four months of my life and then I fell off the bandwagon and stopped getting up early and focusing.
• I proved once again that I would not (or could not) learn to meditate or do yoga. And I no longer give a flying fart.
• I made the mistake of tallying all my alcohol purchases as a line item in our monthly, household spending review. Learn from my mistake, friends!
• I felt powerless as I joined so many who fell into a pit of despair over the recent elections in the dying republic to the south.
• I found new purpose as I realized it was time to stop talking and start doing.
• Xmas sprinkles are made of fucking palm oil!
• To the above point, shouting at the top of my lungs in the baking aisle of my local supermarket, “I WANT FUCKING SPRINKLES FREE OF DEAD ORANGUTANS!” is a good way to get escorted from the premises.
• Monsters are real and many of them lurk here on Medium and other online channels. I no longer hesitate. The block button is now my friend.
• My biggest obstacle is worrying about what others think or feel about my work.
• My second biggest obstacle is just doing the work, especially when what I’m producing sucks.

And here’s the greatest thing I learned in 2016.

• I’m not alone. I’ve found so many voices of support here on Medium. So many who are also on a journey to find their voice and produce the work, no matter what.

And this gives me hope for 2017 and beyond.

So thank you to everyone out there who continues to fight and create against the forces of darkness, external and internal. Please know you are not alone and that your efforts give strength to those around you.