Takeaways/Forwards from 2022 -

In the past year…    What were the best decisions you made?  Bringing Mom home from the care center to die at home. Remodeling the kitchen.   How are you different from a year ago? Not as tainted, not as angry, more calm.   What have you learned from the hard times? I hate hard times; I can make it through anything if I have sleep and love.   What did you enjoy the most this year? Sedona, Hawaii time with Scott. Time with my siblings. July backyard journey.   What are you most proud of this year? Staying fully engaged and present while Mom was dying (rather than fussing with other "stuff"). Not overplanning our Hawaii vacation. Not guilting myself on the things I couldn't/didn't do. Trusting myself, the process, those I love.   What did you learn about yourself? Putting one foot in front of the other is sometimes the best way of planning something. I hate conflict. Self-acceptance is better than being accepted. Things are good, really really good.   What energized you? What drained you? Energized - time with my siblings, the holidays the past 6 weeks, when no expectations were the best gift I could give myself. Drained - letting others into my space, the kitchen remodel dragging on and on and on.  What advice would you have given to your last-year self if you could go back and start the year again? This too shall pass. You will meet the most incredible people you've known all your life.  What matters most to you in the next year?  Being prepared for retirement - I have plans!!! First time in forever I have been able to look forward, for me.  What are you going to continue doing? Being calm. Living simply. Loving in the best ways I can.  What do you want to change completely? Get exercising; it's been nearly a year, and I need exercise.  How do you intend to be different at the end of next year? Dec. 2023 - 3 months to retirement. Plans developing into reality.  What is your highest intention for this next year? Every year my sister and I come up with a word or phrase for the new year. I've used Savor, Home, It is what it is, Really?!, and this year my word is going to be Mend. This is my intention - not new, not heal, not do-over, but to take what I have and mend it so that going forward it has use.   From writer, Melli O'Brien, co-founder of mindfulness.com.