I realized a couple things in 2015.

Work can be fun and the work place can be really fun. The workplace is changing; we all know this. No longer are the days and ways of the baby boomer generation. Thanks Adroll for showing me this is possible.

The best medium for personal growth is to experience. Reading and writing can only provide so much context, but once you’re involved first hand is the point you discover yourself. Talk to a stranger, dance ’til 5am, drive without using a gps, or buy a random plane ticket because the price is right. Just do it, that’s the point.

Relationships only work if you want them to work. Any relationship, romantic or platonic, takes effort from both parties. But don’t force it. I don’t think I’d survive without the relationships I have. They keep me alive, inspired, and grounded. These side effects force me to always put in the effort because I know the net outcome.

With age, injuries truly take a toll on your body. I’m still recovering from a bad soccer injury and I don’t see an end in sight. An old injury has snuck back into my life. It’s never too late to start on your health, but please start. This can be mental or physical (or probably both), but it’s important to take care of yourself.

Happiness is what most want in life, but I think meaning is what I really want. What is left behind when you’re gone? Who have you affected once you’re gone?

Slack is an amazing communication platform. It was a driving factor in my team’s ability to release a new software product within a tight timeline (it also helps when you have all senior engineers). No need to prepare an encyclopedia style functional specification. We can make real time decisions. Transparent communication, instant feedback, collaboration, and a history of every decision. Slack FTW.

Falling/being in love is hard work (or we wouldn’t have a 50% divorce rate), but completely worth it especially when it’s a mutual feeling. No one likes one-sided relationships.

Speaking of love, so many engagements and weddings. My newsfeed should be renamed to weddingfeed. Or maybe babyfeed. I don’t know. I wish facebook had an app where you could secretly rate the success rate of each engagement. Quite a few have aleady gone through divorce. Yikes.

Music is the one best bonding mechanisms. I’ve met some of my best friends through music. I met my girlfriend at a music festival. I met a great group of friends in SF through music. Music is a common a language.

Reminded each day of irony’s perfection. It’s simply amazing. Shouldn’t I go experience something instead of writing?

My east coast addiction to wings and cheesesteaks has been replaced by the west coast burrito. I had no idea something could taste so good. I also didn’t know quality coffee until moving to SF, but I promise I’m no snob. Give it to me black with a scosche of milk. So I guess it’s not technically black.

A 5 year plan seems fictitious. You can’t predict the future. Just make the best choices in the present to allow for self progression. It’s good to have a north star, but isn’t helpful if you force a plan upon yourself.

People appreciate it when you listen. You don’t have to say a word. Just sit there and listen. Let them vent, express, and rant. I didn’t just learn this, but you get the point.

Sports have become secondary. The time difference makes it so much harder to watch NFL. It’s much easier to watch NBA. Go Warriors. This is actually a relief. I can actually watch sports for their pure entertainment value. I don’t feel pressured to know stats or who’s who. East coasters are passionate sports fans. Maybe too passionate. Philly?

It’s hard watching parents age. Everything starts to break down. Their body simply doesn’t operate the way it once did. Seems like everything is always in pain. I think being away makes this more apparent since I only see them a few times a year. Just another sign of the value of personal health.

The US might experience their first woman president in 2016 following its first black president in 2008. Gay marriage was also legalized nationally by the supreme court. This country is progressing.

I should probably spend more time reflecting before writing something about reflection. I need to go charge my computer.