2009: An endnote with a hope for a new beginning

The past decade, and especially the year 2009 for many was a transformative period---with new hopes for family, life, social networking, etc..

There were more failures (call it missed opportunities) than successes (or accomplishments) by and large. What we have in hand is, the new decade, as a hope for the better...

For such moments of do-it-yourself strategies, there are many positive notes from a book in hand: Fire Your Shrink! by Michele Weiner-Davis, reading now. For example:

"There is no such thing as failure, only feedback as to how to modify your next step. One of the most important prerequisites to putting the program in this book to work is to adapt a trial-and-error philosophy about change. It is remarkably freeing to realize that there are only two ways you can really screw up. One is by not trying anything new for fear of failure. ... The second way to screw up is to ignore the outcome of something you tried: wasting time convincing yourself and others that it should have worked when it didn't. Remember, the proof is in the pudding. If it works, don't fix it; if not, do something different." (p. 57)

On the same shelf:

What is Your One Main Failure of the Year 2009 - Are You Ready for the Year 2010?

Philly Teacher: 2009: Reflections on a Transformative Year

New Year Greetings And A Hope For Happiness :: Mel Menzies

Welcome to the out-of-control decade
We have seen the future, and it doesn't belong to you
By Rik Myslewski in San Francisco, The Register: 31st December 2009

The 10 most intriguing people of 2009

Decoding the Decade
Repeat after me: Googlewhack, Bromance, Obamanation
Listen to The Globe's Ian Brown read the words and phrases that became part of our collective consciousness this decade