Manifesto Report Card (Fall, 2009)

I decided that monthly Manifesto updates was a bit much, so I'm going to do quarterly Report Cards instead.

1. I will improve my quality of life. - B
Let’s be honest, for me to be the person I want to be – to do the things I want to do – I need to make some major lifestyle changes. Today, I commit to doing so. I promise to put as much energy and will into eating healthier and getting into shape as I put into law school. I will no longer allow my aches and pains to control who I am and what I do. I will finally get my bad knee looked at.
I would have scored higher here but I waited so long to get started I can only give myself a B. For those who aren’t aware, I’m in a 40-pound challenge with a co-worker and I’m determined to kick his butt. I’m approaching the whole thing the way I approached law school – dedicated and tenacious. I’m working out, eating right (not just better, but actually right!). Granted, it’s early, but I’ve already dropped about 9 pounds and I have a long way to go. The 40-pound bet is just the beginning.

2. I will find someone who loves me. - B+
For too long I have avoided the mere possibility of a real relationship. The combination of past heartache and fear of future disappointment has left me on the sidelines, pining for those who are already spoken for or have no interest in me. This was the only safe way to avoid getting hurt. No more. I promise to search for the woman who will appreciate all that I have to offer. I will no longer live behind walls. I have much love to give, and I won’t waste it on those who have no interest in it.
Major progress here. I’m no longer living in my own imagination. I have accepted reality and am moving forward. There is a wonderful girl for me out there who will want and need all that I bring to the table. I just have to find her and the search is ongoing.

3. I will expand my horizons. - A-
Law school made it easier to live my life in a bubble, but to be perfectly honest I’ve lived that way since returning from St. Louis. I’ve lived in Northern Kentucky pretty much all of my life, but I’ve only experienced a small sliver of all this beautiful place has to offer. That will change. It must change. I refuse to continue living my own self-imposed version of Groundhog Day. I’m rewriting the script. Beginning with my little Facebook Pawn experiment, I will branch out. I promise I will do new things, go new places, meet new people. Before 08.01.10, I will go skydiving. I will go to New York and Chicago – just for fun. There is a whole world out there, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to ignore it another day.
It’s been a crazy few months since the last time I updated my Manifesto. I went to Vegas and lost some cash (but I’ll win it all back and more when the Bengals win the SuperBowl!!!), got sworn in to practice law in KY and bought tickets to WresleMania in Phoenix next March (I've wanted to go to a WrestleMania since the very first one 26 years ago!). I temporarily suspended Facebook Pawn, but it’s coming back and it’ll be new and improved! Keep your eyes open for it.

4. I will have fun. - B-
I honestly don’t remember the last time I truly had fun. When I was a boy, everything was fun. Somewhere along the way I forgot how to enjoy life. I will remember. I will reconnect with old friends and relearn how to live in the moment. Life is too short to spend all of your time climbing the mountains. Yes, there will be more mountains. And yes, I will climb them or die trying. But that doesn’t mean I can’t take time to enjoy the journey. I promise I will never again let life fly past me while I am busy with other things. The adventure is every bit as important as the success, and it is much more fun.
I’ve had my moments (many of them came in Vegas) of fun, but have had down periods too. It’ll probably always be that way, but I’m trying and I continue to search out new ways to have fun.

5. I will have a better appreciation for my family. - A-
Family is everything. It really is – everything. And I don’t want to be too cliche about it, but your family is the easiest thing in the world to take for granted. They’ll always be there for you. They’ll always love you. Even when you make bad decisions and are clearly in the wrong, they will stand beside you. So when life gets hectic, family is often the first thing that is sacrificed. For far too long I’ve neglected my family. I promise I will spend more time with them; I will be there for them whenever they need me. I will appreciate those things we share in common and celebrate our differences.
I’ve been doing my best to find time to hang out with Chloe, my brothers and Casey, my mom and Karl, dad and Joyce. I even got to have pre-Thanksgiving dinner with the Kilday clan and got to see Nick! I cannot believe he’s a grown man now serving our country in Afghanistan. I’ve begun the search for Chloe’s Christmas presents (one of my most favorite traditions!) and will probably drop more money on that cutie pie than I did in Vegas! (I sure do hope the Bengals win the SuperBowl!!!)

6. I will not rest on my laurels. - C
I used to resent being asked, “What’s next?” when people learned that I was finishing up law school. I wanted to ask them, “What’s next for you?” It angered me that there were different expectations of me just because I’d accomplished something few others do. Now, I take it as a compliment. I welcome great expectations and demand new challenges. While I don’t quite know what my next mountain will be just yet, I promise this – when I find myself standing at its base, I’ll be ready to climb. There are things in my life that I need to change, but I would not be where I am today without that attitude. I will appreciate my accomplishments more; I will not let future challenges be such a burden on those who I love; but I will never stop climbing. This I promise.
Still looking for the right challenge. I’ve been kicking around continuing my education, but I honestly just don’t know if I have enough passion for that. Maybe med school? (Just kidding…probably.) This one is a definite "to be continued…".

7. I will help people. - A-
I am blessed. As much as I need to make changes in my life, I know that I have it better than so many. I promise to use the skills and expertise that I have acquired to help those who aren’t as lucky as I have been. I will give my time, talent and treasure to help others. And I will get involved with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati.
I’m enjoying being a “big” and love hanging out with my “little.” Considering my pro bono legal options as well.