mikerodriguez.

human being.

[mikerodriguez]

unbecoming.

[mikerodriguez]

06132021.

[mikerodriguez]

[mikerodriguez]

MMXXI.

I was almost against writing this post and skipping my yearly reflection altogether.

2019 was a year of transition for me and I really thought 2020 would be a momentous year. And I was right, but not in a good way.

I will never forget 2020.

Crazy, chaotic, tragic, unimaginable. I cannot find just one word to sum it all up. I wish I could accurately describe the year that was.

It seems like from the outset, 2020 was destined for failure. Untimely deaths, killer hornets, a global pandemic, social justice issues and a whole lot more. 2020 will be a cornerstone in history.

I was extremely fortunate that this year did not affect me as deeply as others. While there were many adjustments that I had to make to my day-to-day life during this pandemic we’re still living in, nothing drastically changed for me. Professionally, I continued to move towards my goals. In business, I had an outsanding year. Personally, I learned much about myself. Still, I am even more so grateful for everything I have at the conclusion of this year. I know many others have lost a lot in 2020 and my heart is with them.

This year has served me as one of the biggest learning experiences in my life. I learned to be a better human being. I learned to emphasize with people and have more consideration and humility in life. I also learned that while it’s okay to be selfish at times and take care of yourself, it’s not okay to assume that people may feel the same way that you do. Last, I learned the importance of being present. be here now. We do not know when our last day on this planet is, so it’s important to always be present, whether you’re at home or with family or out with friends, always be there. I think life has become so transient and fast moving these days, that we forget about the little things. We lose sight of the fact that we are just specs of dust on this planet, in this universe and a small footnote in time.

Though in 2020, I did not fly on as many planes as I hoped or visited as many places as I wanted to, I was grateful to see more sunsets than I ever have. I wrote as many words as I possibly could. Most importantly, I valued time more than anything.

As for 2021, I have no expectations. In my mind, I have goals that I want to reach for and I will reach for them, regardless. But if 2021 is just 1% better for the entire world and all of humanity than what 2020 was, then that’s already a win. Personally, all that matters is health, family, friendships and happiness. The rest is just trivial.

Here’s to the new year. Cheers.

[mikerodriguez]

Three chapters.

[mikerodriguez]

I wrote a book.

[mikerodriguez]

That insatiable feeling of her, makes me as determined as I’ve ever been.

[mikerodriguez]

You are the type of love that does not need to prove your worth or ever need to sit in anxiety. You crave a natural connection where your soul can recognize a feeling of home in another. Something free flowing, something simple, something that allows you to be you without question.

[mikerodriguez]

MMXX.

There are only a handful of hours left in 2019, as I begin to write this.

Just like it’s predecessors, the year 2019 held many things to be grateful for and many things to continue to work on. I wish 2019 could have “checked all the boxes” but it didn’t. There was a lot left to be desired and quite frankly, I think that personally lies on me.

2019 will forever be one of the weirdest, transitional years I’ve had. I moved. I transitioned professionally to a new role, with new colleagues. And for the most part, 2019 seemed to be a lot of build up towards the future.

Next year is a few hours away. 2020 - the start of a new decade. And with that, I am reminded that though so much time has gone by - there is still much time left to happen.

This upcoming year, I am promising myself, for myself, to go to great lengths, to accomplish everything and all that I desire. And the only way to do that is to hold myself accountable.

Accountability. I need more accountability in many areas. Starting with my health - I need to be more active and eat healthier, I need better sleep, I need more time to myself. The only way to fulfill these needs is to hold myself accountable.

I plan on seeing a lot in 2020. I’m hoping to travel twice or three times as much as I did in 2019. I plan on giving back more. I plan on discovering a new level of humility and sincerity within myself. I plan on getting back in touch with myself and finding out what I truly want out of life.

2020 might be the beginning of a new decade, but it’s the continuation of a life, fulfilled.

Happy New Year.

[mikerodriguez]

MMXIX.

The last couple of weeks of the year always helps me reflect on the year that was and what I want to make of the year to come.

Coming off an amazing year in 2017, I had high hopes and many goals for 2018.

Overall, the year was just fine. I experienced an immense amount of growth, comparable to any other year of my life. Both personally and professionally, I grew. There were lots of good moments in 2018. I met new people. I did some things for the first time. I visited places I hadn’t been to in a while. I grew closer to some people and shared lots of laughs and good times. The year 2018 had its fair share of challenges, but it checks all the boxes as far as growth is concerned and that is a positive.

However, when reflecting on this year, my thoughts are often overshadowed, not by the growth, but by the losses. In 2018, I lost a lot. I lost a few friendships with good people. I lost lots of good colleagues. I lost, what I consider, an important love interest in my life. At times, I lost my motivation, my ambition, my will to want to succeed. I lost a lot of sleep. I lost a lot of moments. And overall, somewhere along the way, I think I lost my way.

Sometimes, losing your way, is a part of life. You gain perspective and appreciation, for people, places and things you always have taken for granted or never seen a certain way.

I cannot say that heading into 2019 that I have it all figured out. There so much uncertainty in the air; so many unknowns. But, I do have some goals in mind to keep me focused and help me find my way again.

One prominent focus of mine is my health. Both my physical and mental health. I’m going to take care of myself, first and foremost.

In all, if I were to describe 2018 in one word, it would be: intermittent. There were a lot of ebbs and flows. Lots of starts and stops. Lots of back and forth.

I hope that 2019 is a continuous flow of growth both, personally and professionally. Most importantly, I hope that in 2019, I can find my way, again.

Happy New Year.

[tylerknott]

“I’d risk the nothing, for just one chance at something. I want only you.”

—

Daily Haiku on Love by Tyler Knott Gregson

*Please pre-order my upcoming book, Miracle in the Mundane, link in bio!!*

[mikerodriguez]

I find that the most difficult things in life are the ones that are most worth it. But I’ve also found that the things in life that are most worth it are also the hardest to give up.

Sometimes, giving up on this that may be worth it, is needed. Simply because your passion and affection and love towards that thing (or person) is too strong to be contained in the moment.

The one thing that life has taught me is that the things we let go that we feel the most strongly about, have a funny way of coming back to us, later down the road.

[mikerodriguez]

The last 6 months have been the most stressful and rewarding time in my career.

I work long hours, I don't have time to eat or sleep and I am drowning in writing code, spreadsheets and presentations, emails and meetings. And yet, I wouldn't change a thing.

I'm grateful to be in a position to not only lead the digital transformation of a  business but to disrupt an entire industry and directly impact people.

I will continue push forward, with intent and assertiveness and even more drive than ever before. I know that years from now, I will look back at these time and be proud of what I’ve done and how far I’ve come.

Purpose always fuels passion.

[mikerodriguez]

Giving a shit is so exhausting at times.

[mikerodriguez]

Beyond stoked for this.

[mikerodriguez]

These days, I spend my time thinking about, how to stop thinking about [insert relevant subject].

[mikerodriguez]

Your Pursuit of Being.

Days, weeks, years from now, you will find that the things you hold so dear, were all trivial to the core.

All of those silly little things you care about mean nothing and this naive quest for absolute perfection is a giant fucking waste of time. 

I wish you well in your pursuit of being.