2010...as it winds down

...2010.  What a year indeed.  At 32 years of age, I've never felt as experienced as I do now in so many professional aspects, and yet so new and fresh to so many newer experiences in life.  The school of life is a good way to sum up 2010 for me. 

On a personal note, I have been so blessed this year with the birth of my baby boy.  My wife and I are surrounded by loved ones, support and now our little boy.  (I do feel bad for our dogs though, poor things are feeling a bit attention deprived lately...I promise we will get better at balancing this over time.) :) 

In 2010, here a few bullet points that really summarize my year:
-Endured my first major economic recession (being in commercial real estate and land primarily, one can imagine the economic impact taken this past year
-Birth of my baby boy
-Ventured into the world of retail business ownership (learned to run and operate a full restaurant and nightclub)
-Watched over $25M in property acquired with hard work over a 3 year period evaporate (Just Gone!)
-Fortified some existing friendships and relationships and business partnerships
-Lost some friendships and business partnerships after years
-Saw some horrific opinions written about me
-Saw some very positive opinions written about me
-Learned a lot of about the psyche of people (can I say MOOD swings or should I call it bi-polar?)
-Almost WENT BLIND!  (had a retina detachment this year)
-Partnered with some very strong financial groups and introduced some very "old" products into the marketplace - as we say it...gettin' deals done
-After years of work, my dream of venturing successfully into media and technology came true
-With my business partner of 7 years, was able to see our Media Holding company finally go to the next level (Thank you so much to our investors and believers)
-Was let go from a start up company as an advisor by a  22 year old after 5 years of believing in him
-During the same period I was retained to be a consultant and advisor for senior economic advisors 3X his age
-Learned about the things most important to me in life
-Learned so much from past mistakes
-Learned that I have never loved anything so much
-Saw pure innocence for the first time
-Appreciate my elders and their experiences in life so much more than ever before
-Have never had so much clarity and focus going into a year

As I write all of this, it certainly makes me realize how much I've experienced at such an early age in life.  Looking back on things, I try to live by a philosophy that I never regret my past, I only live and learn from it.  We all have our good times and bad times, but what we do to improve that and grow is what is important.  I certainly have had my fair share of mistakes and yes some regrets, but when I reflect upon it, I've grown up so much in my professional and personal life.  In 2011, I will continue my entrepreneur dreams and set to accomplish and complete the foundation I've set out.  I will also step back to "smell the roses", enjoy life more and the things that I cherish deeply.  In the end, all we have is love and memories, I promise to enjoy mine.

...2010, the year that changed my life forever.