The first one's always free. But so are the rest, because they're all worthless musings anyway.

And here it is.

One of the most important things in life is to be reflective. Those who do not learn from history are bound to repeat it, and then write trite aphorisms that make people scoff at their lack of creativity. In my case, however, it usually isn't a problem of being reflective, it's being able to remember any lessons learned.

So today will start a new chapter in my life, and one I've avoided for a very long time due to a lot of reasons- partially because of laziness, partially because of stubborn pride that refused to admit the internet could be social, and partially because of fear that even here I wouldn't be accepted. But today's lesson is to take things one step at a time, and my first step is to start a blog.

Am I making too big of a deal about starting a blog? Probably, but for me, it's a symbolic gesture for something much more important. My biggest problem has always been sitting back and analyzing things until I've developed a concrete plan of attack, when in life, you most often have to take things as they come. To start a blog, I could have waited until I designed my own personalized layout, came up with the wittiest title I could have, even posted some flattering picture of myself. But, instead, I've acutally just done the bare minimum, and you know what? I probably won't even hesititate to push the "Publish Post" button.

Mistakes can always be undone, but if you sit idly planning for the perfect opportunity, that chance may never come. So, here's to taking initiative, even if it's a trivial task. Here's to writing, even if it's not perfect, or creative, or insightful. Now if I can just remember to read my blog once in a while to review these lessons learned...

- Johnny