I have everyone has been enjoying the last days of 2008. I’ve been off from the 9-5 since December 22nd and have used the time somewhat wisely. I’ve spent the time reflecting on the year that has passed and preparing for what’s to come in 2009.

Overall, 2008 was a good year for me. Life is certainly better than it was in 2007. I did lose a couple of longterm frienships this year. But I don’t believe that everyone is meant to ride with you until the end of the road. I wholeheartedly subscribe to that whole reason, season , lifetime school of thought. While I have a far much easier time letting go that most people, I do take time to clearly identify the reasons that a particular person was in my life and why it’s time to let them float on.

I celebrated one year of blogging here back in September. Truthfully, I neve expected to make it to a year, which is the reason I started out on a free platform. I am amazed at the direction that this blog has taken and so very grateful for you, my dear readers, that come here to see what I have to say. Your comments both on and offline have really kept me going.  And it makes me want to go further.

Looking back at my 2007 blogging goals, I think I have tackled some of the most important ones.

• Commit to a regular writing schedule
  Certainly more regular than I was when I started this blog. I actually get antsy if I haven’t written anything in a few days.
• Continue strengthening my writing skills
  I think they’ve gotten better. I still got so far to go. For the most part though, I think ya’ll understand the words that are coming outta my mouth
• Interact more with other bloggers in my niche
  My name is Vivrant Thang and I am a Twitter and Facebook addict. I do pledge to do more with Facebook and Linked In in 2009 though.
• Attend Blogging While Brownand Blogher conferences
  Attended neither one. I blame that on my new job. I have my eye on a couple of conferences next year though. I also have my eye on new furniture and two vacations in 2009 as well. About that sugar daddy….
• Move blog to it’s own domain with more of a “vivrant” design
  I’m glad that I didn’t proceed with this because I’m just now settling on a strategy for the direction I want to take this thing. It would have been a disaster to move ahead with a dot com without a plan. This will be done fist quarter of 2009.
• Participate in more blog campaigns about important issues in the Black community
  I didn’t do anything this year outside of a few political posts and rants. I did capture my entire voting experience though, which is important to me.
• Increase my readership and comments
  Done and done! I am thrilled with the developments and look forward to more in 2009.

There are some good things on the horizon for me in 2009. I’m in the process of starting a small business with a partner. I also have a column that should be debuting soon. I’ll announce it when it’s actually live. That last experience showed me to keep my trap shut until things come to fruition! I’m also working on a couple of other things that should increase readership here and on my You Tube channel.

You know with all good things must come a soundtrack. So I’ll finish out my best of  lists with my top five  inspirational songs of 2008. I hope that they move you into action the way in the same ways they have helped me.

Happy New Year my dear readers!

Jazmine Sullivan, “Fear” (read post about my fear)

Hil St Soul, “Life”

Reel People, “Anything You Want”