Previously, I revealed my <a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/27/extra-credit-day-366-top-10-most-curious/" target="_blank"><strong>Top 10 Most Curious Moments</strong></a> from my 365 Days of Living Curiously.  At that time (back in October!), I promised to wax philosophically about my year at another time.  "Another time" promptly morphed into The Mother of All Procrastinations.

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I'm not sure why I postponed writing this post, considering that the year ranked as My Best Year Yet.

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Perhaps I was burned out from writing 365 posts in just a bit more than 365 days?

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Or did the magnitude of this endeavor seem too daunting?  (<em>How on earth</em> do you sum up a life-changing year in a single blog post?)

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Or maybe I subconsciously didn't want to let go of my precious year?

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Whatever the case, it's time to stop making excuses and CELEBRATE the year.

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I originally embarked on The Year of Living Curiously when I found myself in The Mother of All Ruts. I won't dig up that sob story again, but if you would like a refresher, you can visit <strong><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/" target="_blank">here.</a></strong>

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Before descending into a full-blown <del>mid-life</del> existential crisis, I summoned my inner Cher and smacked myself upside the head with a <strong><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x-fkSYDtUY" target="_blank">"Snap out of it!"  </a> </strong>

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And my way of snapping out of it was taking on insane blog project in which I would not only tackle one "curious" mini-adventure each day, but also write about it.  (There are uber-uber-talented Professional Super Bloggers out there who take on <strong><a href="http://www.corbettbarr.com/what-i-learned-publishing-every-day-for-30-days" target="_blank">30 DAYS of consecutive blogging as a challenge</a></strong>.  So when I throw out the word "insane", I am not over-exaggerating.  I really was <em>that crazy</em>.)

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Here is what I learned from my Crazy, Precious, Curious Year:

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<ul>
	<li><strong>Discipline.</strong>  I have always been a fairly disciplined person.  But I am also human, and therefore, I am seduced by the Big Bad Procrastination Wolf just like 95% of the population.  In the past, I blamed my procrastination on my perfectionism, or life getting in the way, or a host of other various excuses, but this year, I had to "SUCK IT UP, BUTTERCUP!"  Cranking out a post a day (while maintaining a full-time day job) is ultramarathon blogging.  If I slacked off on my schedule, I was doomed.  No Big Bad Procrastination Wolf temptation was worth more than my dream or my pride.</li>
	<li><strong>The true essence of Carpe Diem.</strong>  People have been throwing out the phrase "Carpe Diem" for millennia.  It's the loveliest of concepts:  Seize the day! <strong><a href="http://www.changinghands.com/book/9781563522956" target="_blank"> Each day is a gift: That's why it's called The Present!  </a></strong>Live each day as if it's your last!  (The latter always creeps me out a bit, but after losing two family members much too soon, it also resonates.  Loudly.)  Yet who <em>honestly</em> Carpe Diem-s each and every day?  We all know a few of those special people who live Carpe Diem naturally and effortlessly.  I want to be like them.  I strive to be like them.  And this year, I made a <em>conscious choice</em> to live like them each and every day.  It didn't matter if I was too busy, too overwhelmed, PMS-ing, stressing, tired, exhausted, approaching ultramarathon blogger meltdown, or loopy from a concussion.  I chose one thing that piqued my curiosity each day and I embraced Carpe Diem.</li>
	<li><strong>Love.  (Human and canine varieties.)</strong></li>
	<li><strong>Spontaneity.</strong></li>
	<li><strong>Risk.</strong></li>
	<li><strong>Reward.</strong></li>
	<li><strong>Perseverance.  (See Discipline, The true essence of Carpe Diem</strong></li>
	<li><strong>Sacrifice.</strong></li>
	<li><strong>Fun.</strong></li>
	<li><strong>Letting Go.</strong></li>
	<li><strong>Inspiration.  wds mondo beyondo</strong></li>
	<li><strong><strong>Surprise.</strong></strong></li>
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<div>Here are the biggest surprises of the year (you tube, etc.)</div>
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