It's two days until New Year’s Eve and as I sit here gathering thoughts and reflections on 2023, I can definitely say I’m looking forward to 2024.
I don't know if you like to journal or not, but I think of this blog as one of sorts. It's business mixed with personal, as are my monthly newsletter wrap ups. I went back to see what my final posts of 2022 read, and these last two years have been quite similar in more ways than one.
Reflections on 2023
As I said this time last December, in 2023 we’ve worked on fewer but larger projects by design. By the grace of God and forethought in planning, I made room in our project schedule to take the summer and spend as much quality time with all of my boys still under one roof, and to help prepare for the two oldest to fly the nest. We took a bucket list trip to the Galapagos Islands, and we were lucky enough to see my dad as a family one last time before he joined my mom in their next adventure as our angels.
We all knew Dad would join Mom sooner rather than later, but you're still never prepared. Never. As sad as it is, as sad as I am, I know it’s a part of life, and it’s inevitable for all of us. There's no other way out of this. My hope for myself is to remember that life is what you make of it and to not take any day or second of it for granted, to hold loved ones close, and to nurture relationships that are worth saving, and to never stop learning, even when the lessons are painful. After all, I truly believe there's always a way to find a positive out of a negative.
On the work side of life, in previous years, I've had my fair share of MIA clients, and contractors who find it difficult to listen to/communicate with women in a professional setting. Despite those instances getting fewer and far between they still happen, I am so thankful that I wake up every day and get to do what I am passionate about. It’s a rollercoaster for sure, but I love how I'm learning to lean into the crazy curves and breathe deep on the sharp descents, and also taking the time to enjoy the climb. Much like life, you never know what the day will bring, but that’s life, and life is what you make of it. #lemonsORlemonade,onlyyoudecide
I posted this earlier this week on IG and I thought it apropo to include on this post. A friend asked me recently what my goals for 2024 are. I couldn't think of any right off the bat per se but as we talked, this quote by Maya Angelou popped in my head.
"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style." I think that's a pretty good goal really and a quite simple life mantra - not just survive, but thrive. Sounds like a plan to me.
So here's to a new year filled with living life to the fullest with passion for everything I do, to deeply cultivate compassion for those around us, to find new ways to give myself away in service to others in the community, to enjoy plenty of laughs, and to do it all with more than just a dash of style in everything I do. That's my personal goal for the year anyway.
Not sure how to wrap this up any better other than to say I’m more hopeful than I am sad, more thankful than I am bitter, and overall better than I deserve. Life is good, even when it’s not perfect. It's all in one's mindset.
Thank you for being here with me y'all. Thank you for your kind notes, DMs, and emails throughout the year. I appreciate it more than you know. I hope you have a safe and wonderful holiday weekend. I'll see you in 2024! xoxo!
