Out with the old... and in with the new.... what a familiar saying, right? It's hard to believe 12 months have passed and we are ready to close out another year. 2011... has pretty much come and gone. For me, it's been a long year and one filled with many changes. It's been a year of frustrations, challenges, difficult times... but also one of success and triumph. I've grown in many ways this past year and found out things about myself that surprised me. Isn't it amazing that you are never too old to learn something new about yourself. (And... trust me, I do not like to be reminded how old I am...but, as a very dear friend tells me ... often... AGE is just a number.)
At the end of every year... I do... what I like to call my "self- reflection" of the past year. Things that I accomplished... things I didn't. Things I'd do over... things that I hope to never do again. Things that made me smile, laugh and really love my life. Things that were difficult, depressing and provide moments of temporary insanity. Things I want to change... and things I want to keep. Self-reflection can be a humbling and numbing exercise, not to mention, a painful one, but... I've learned that in order to grow as an individual, sometimes, we need these self-induced "wake-up" calls.
My wake up call involves a number of items on the "2012 List" both in a good way and those that need some "tweaking" as I will put it. The good things this past year have allowed me to appreciate small successes both professionally and personally, one by one...each not being easy to accomplish, but just knowing that I did and that I could was success in itself. What is success without relationships? NOTHING. I am very fortunate that I have a wide circle of friends and family who are always rooting for me and are there to share the successes and the failures. They are the constant in my life..... and I am definitely appreciative of every single relationship and sometimes it takes a very close call of losing a relationship that means everything to you to make you realize how fragile and precious they are to your well being and your happiness.
Another good thing on my 2011 list has been... this blog. I have been so touched by the messages I have received after posts. Your comments that you've made...have really helped me to know that my words have touched different people in different ways. For me... the writing is therapeutic. It has provided me with an outlet to express my thoughts. At the same time, it's also allowed me a broader opportunity to evaluate life experiences in a new way and to share them. I hope that ya'll will continue reading and sharing back with me. There's plenty more good on my list from 2011 but there's also some areas of change that I need to address. We all have those...
For my "tweaking" items... One thing I have realized this past year is that I have allowed circumstances beyond my control to "control" my life so to speak and... as of this moment... it stops. The only thing that I can control is me and my reaction to events surrounding me or affecting me. I've looked back and realized that my reaction to certain circumstances put me in a bad place at various times during the past year. It allowed me to become someone that I don't like or really want to be. So, first on my list....with a double and triple underline... Be ME... and control my reaction and try to breathe before "re-acting." That's a tall order... but, the first step... being aware of it. I've said this one many times through-out the year... and I often slip... but, I am determined to be diligent in the coming year.
Number 2 on my list... REMAIN positive regardless of the situation. From past experience, I know that negativity can swallow you up ... and drown you ... IF you allow it. (so, see... #1 and #2 are working together ... here!) If you're negative, then EVERYTHING is negative. It's hard to stay positive... all the time. It's hard to always see the glass half full INSTEAD of half empty... but.... again, the whole purpose of the self-reflection exercise is to remind yourself of all of the things that you want to change... and those you don't. So... for 2012, I am going to post a positive thoughts and comments as often as I can.
#3 on my list... is to get healthy again. At 47... it JUST ain't as easy as it used to be! I've had health problems for as long as I can remember... from stomach, to back... to migraines... to everything in between. My list of woes is enough to make your head spin... and as my grown children often tease me... there's not much left for them to take out or to find wrong with me... IS THERE? The way I see it... it could BE much worse than it is... so, I definitely feel like I'm pretty LUCKY.
My back doctor tells me I have the back of an 85 year old... (WOW... that's motivation, isn't it?). My stomach doctor tells me that i have to find a way to alleviate STRESS from my life..... because apparently, when I am stressed... so is my stomach! (I could be the poster person for TUMS, PEPCID, PREVACID, NEXIUM, well... you get the picture, right?) (Well... if anybody can tell me a cure for stress... I am all ears!) I've realized that being healthy is really about having a balance in all things. It's not just about diet and exercise. So... I have a new plan for 2012.... that hopefully will put my mind, body and soul back in balance for a healthier, less stressful and happier me again. OH, I SO WANT TO BE ME AGAIN. (You're probably asking yourself... well, who has she been?)
#4 on my list... is in regards to my professional life. This past year, I managed to develop and execute a brand new concept...that I truly believe in and for that I am quite grateful for the many friends and colleagues who stood with me and behind me to get it off the ground. I plan on coming back in 2012 with a few changes to make it even better. Success is sweeter when shared and it's often a result of those around you. In my situation, that is definitely the reason. So, #4 .. is to continue to TRY, not give up and work hard to find opportunities to grow professionally. The phrase... UNDERpromise and OVERdeliver... definitely means something. I want to be looked upon as someone who doesn't give up... who has a passion and believes .... I want to be the person that has the positive outlook and attitude to accomplish anything. Will there be failures? Of course.. but, with every success... failure helps you get there.
My list continues on with a number of odds and in's... but for the most part, I know that I am truly blessed in this life and know not to take a moment of it for granted. So #5 on my list... is to SIMPLY LIVE. It's a motto on my blog page... Simply Livin' and it seems that I needed reminding of it myself. Life itself can sometimes get us down... and it takes a simple gesture to get us back on track. We should take time every day to breathe and appreciate every moment. We should love like there is no tomorrow and we should forgive easier. I guess Tim McGraw's song... Live Like You Were Dying... really holds true and maybe we should all take a moment of self reflection of it.
2011 has been ... what a good friend once told me... "character building". I've gone through some tough times on both a personal and professional level... but, at the end of the day.... I'm still here. I survived and I have the opportunity to make 2012 a better year. So... as the last week of 2011 begins... and my self reflection episode continues ... I look back with thankfulness for every person who was in my life this past year.
I look forward to 2012 with a renewed spirit and hope to make a difference, change lives and to be the person that I know that I can be. I have a new commitment to being me, being positive and to never giving up on the things that I believe in, want and know that are worth it. I have re-found my passion to simply live for the moment to appreciate all of the things that we often take for granted. Life... is what we make it... NOT what it makes us.
My wish for each of you.... is to take time to enjoy the simple pleasures in life, to make time for friends, to laugh and enjoy a cup of coffee and a wonderful conversation, to achieve your successes with a smile and take your failures as an opportunity. If you are ever in doubt of yourself... stop and hold a 5 minute conversation with a child... it will OPEN your heart and your eyes. Children see things in such a simple way -- no wonder they are happier than adults! May 2012 shine brightly upon you with love, prosperity, good health and most of all... happiness.
Happy New Year!
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