Breathing it all in 2011

Happy New Year (14 days later!):

Much like the written journal I keep, it is amazing how quickly time passes and what seemed like yesterday is, in reality, 14 days later.  I had every good intention of writing to welcome in 2011 (and put a thankful end to 2010), but perhaps my last few hours of vacation from work took priority?  Just maybe.

Faithful readers of this blog (or those patient enough to scroll through the history) are fully aware of the miracle my family experienced this past October.  That miracle was driven home even moreso today when I completed my first, of what will likely be many, CPR class.  If you are CPR-certified, you know firsthand that what I am about to share is true.

Walking into the class today, I expected the "dummy" Annie, a little breathing into her plastic 1/2 body and pounding on her chest, and some awkward role-playing to make sure I know the steps involved in performing effective CPR.  Annie was there (though I think she actually sent her less feminine counterpart, Art), we role-played, and, oh yes, we learned how to appropriately perform "chest compressions"....a nice way of saying I'm probably about to crack or, worse, break some ribs.  5 sets of 30 repetitive up and down compressions on Art's 1/2 body at a rate equivalent to the beat of the song "Staying Alive" proved to be quite a workout for all of us.  Each and every compression I practiced reminded me of the incredible 12 minutes my Mom's husband, Shawn, performed this incredible act of love on her last October which nobody denies is the only reason she is, thankfully, still with us today. It has been several hours since the class and I'm still amazed at the feat Shawn accomplished.

As I reflect on the past 14 days and think about the important skill I learned earlier today, it puts life back into perspective and forces me to consider what I hope 2011 will represent.  I also wonder if this will be the start of a new tradition at the start of each New Year:  taking the act of resolution-making to a new level by learning something not only personally beneficial, but also that could benefit those most important in my life....and maybe even a stranger or two.

How about you?  What have you done or do you plan to do to make 2011 a little less about yourself and more about learning or doing something from which others may benefit?  Think about it and do it soon to avoid the passing of time that becomes such an easy excuse for not taking action.