Here Comes 2022...

This time of year is always one of my favorites, probably second best to when the leaves start changing colors and the weather starts to cool off. The week between Christmas and New Year’s is a quiet week. Gone is the crazy of every family member wanting attention, playing crazy family games, going to house after house to fill up your bellies. The kids are still home and if they are not in a food coma, they are playing with the new toys that Santa brought.

For me, it is always a time of reflection. I love reading what everyone’s New Year’s resolutions are and hearing stories about what they learned that year and how they will improve or change going into the new year. I don’t make resolutions. I think that we continue to learn and grow every day that passes and each new day brings a new opportunity to be our best self.

One of my friends sent me this photo the other day. I think this basically sums up everyone’s life right about now. But here is my story....

2019 – This was a year of change for me. I left the comfort of my job, a place I had been at for 9 years, to go spread my wings and figure out what else was out there for me. It was a year that opened my eyes to different traditions and cultures. 2019 changed how I viewed who I was as a person and what I wanted to be when I grew up.

2020 – This year broke me, as I am sure it did for many. It was the year of Covid. As an extrovert, I wasn’t able to express myself in my normal manner. Due to restrictions in my state, I had to find creative ways to release my anxiety as we couldn’t go to gyms, pools or even to our nature parks. I stopped traveling and learning from others around the world. I got hit by a car and found myself depressed, anxious and unmotivated.

2021 – This year opened my eyes in good and bad ways. I saw hatred and I saw love. I saw the worst in my friends and in other, the best I have ever seen them. This year had its ups. I got to start an amazing new job and take on new responsibilities. I got to travel again, this time with my child and see her face light up with the new wonders of the world. I got to cross the finish line that I so desperately yearned over for so many months in rehab. I got to get back to volunteering at the Zoo and teaching people about animals and conservation. I watched sporting events again! I went on a hiking trip and spent much needed time with my best friend because it was interrupted by my accident. I met new friends who I am so excited to have in my life and look forward to where our friendships take us. I learned how to love again. This year also had many downs. I lost family and I lost friends. I’ve dealt with heartbreak and chronic stress. I have had to tell some of my friends we couldn’t be friends anymore because they were just toxic. I’ve endured physical pain and mental instability. But, this is the year that I got my strength back...

2022 – I make a comeback. This is MY year. This is the year that I make my rules. This year I will be back, ready to take on the world, live again, love again and be the best version of me. This is the year of the Bean.

My challenge for you today is...create a new years list. If you make resolutions, make your resolution. But make a list of everything you accomplished this year, everything you are grateful for. When we start looking at life from a different viewpoint, we will see how blessed we really are.