On this the last day of the year, all of humanity can’t seem to help being reflective, celebratory, and however skeptical, hopeful about our future. I am a person who lives on lists, calendars, memos, and notes. I am a planner by nature and a new year is just what I love because it presents me with the wondrous gift that is a new calendar and an automatic strike to the re-set button.

A big part of planning where to go is knowing where you’ve been. Looking back on the lessons that I have learned, a few of the ones that stick out are:

1.  It is possible to lose sight even of those things that you truly love.

2.  Bravery isn’t a one time deal. You have to keep on being brave until it’s a habit.

3.  Sometimes that’s just it. No reason. No excuse. That’s just it.

4.  Thinking about doing work has no direct correlation on the actual doing of work.

5.  Fear can be your friend or your enemy, either way, keep an eye on it.

6.  Motivation is a luxury, not a necessity.

Over the past year, there have been many things that I have wanted to think about, change, and work on. Looking back on the these things, the ones that stand out are…

1.  I will enjoy the process not just the conclusion.

2.  I will remind myself that it is how you live your life that counts most.

3.  I will remember the importance of consistency.

4.  I remind myself why I started down this road in the first place.

5.  I will nurture, protect, and exercise my joy.

6.  I will start over again and again and again.

In this new year I will continue on my journey in every way. I look forward to firsts, lasts, to things that will end, and things that will begin. I know that some things will remain consistent while other things will never be the same again. I will remain true to my course and all will be well.