In the last few weeks of the year, I’ve read many others’ thoughts
on how best to say “good riddance” to a horrendous 2016. But I’m not ready to
classify 2016 as a holistically horrible year.
Given a choice, I think I would likely choose to live in a
perpetual state of feel-good-everything-is-connected-coffee-fueled-emotionally-positive
mania. But, like most of us who are earth-bound, I feel hurt; I feel
frustration; I feel anger; I feel disappointment; I feel anxiety and I feel
loss.
2016 provided me with fodder for each of those less-than-snuggly
sensations, and I spent various amounts of time in each of those emotional
states. Yet 2016 also provided opportunities for new relationships, incredible knowledge
acquisition and sharing, personal resolve, spiritual reflection and deep, deep
connections.
Whether you were devastated by literal and figurative nasty politics,
what felt like a slew of celebrity deaths or an overwhelming personal crisis, you
lived life in 2016.
I lived life in 2016.
And, for that, I am grateful.
Perspective is a powerful tool and viewing a roadblock, a
wall, a deep crevasse as a challenge is sometimes all it takes for me to move
from a mode of deep despair to an attitude of “Let’s get $hit done.”
So, to that end, I am especially grateful for the challenges:
the emotional challenges that allowed me to share my vulnerabilities and
brought me closer to others; the physical challenges that empowered and emboldened
me to push harder; the social challenges that have inspired me to be more vocal
in my global community; and yes, even the parenting challenges that kept me on
my feet and reminded me that guidance and growth in a family is a two-way
street.
Bidding a fond farewell to 2016, I am looking forward to a
new year, new opportunities, new connections. Thanks to the events of 2016, I
know that putting one foot in front of the other will likely get me through the
year but I’d like to focus my steps a little more deliberately this year.
In 2017, I will march, dance, waltz, crawl, ride, run,
stumble and pirouette. I will cry, laugh, sigh, yell, sing and giggle. I will
feel all the feels but I will be especially attuned to love – loving my husband,
my children, my family, my friends, my community and… wait for it… myself.
Happy Flipping New Year. May your each and every day in 2017
be filled with LIFE!
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