Reflection. Do you the like image?

 

As we approach the end of 2022, I am taking some time to reflect, not necessarily self reflect but reflect in general. For me 2022 has been a challenging but also exciting year, it has brought with it disappointments and celebrations, joy and tears and also a lot of unexpected turns that have lead to some beautiful life changes.

It has been a year of learning and also understanding myself, despite all the challenges I have faced this year and the hardships in terms of health, I will not be the one to say, as the clock strikes midnight on Dec 31st, that I am glad to see the back of 2022. Rather I will choose to say that without 2022, I would not have the understanding of myself that I do now.

You see, sometimes we set ourselves these goals and many people believe in setting new years' resolutions. I am definitely a goals person but don't believe in resolutions, as I know that 10 days in and I will give up on all of them. I believe that if change is needed then there is no time like the present and so be it 1st Jan or 20th July, if you want to make a change, do it before you change your mind.

2022, ended with both my husband and I having to go for major surgery, we had both been on the wait list for 2 years and so neither of us could really afford putting it off for the other and so we accepted the challenge, living abroad with two youngish children and no family to support, we sat the kids down and told them family needs to pull together at times like this and if each pulls their weight, then we will get through it. I am 7 weeks post surgery now and almost well enough to return to work, my husband on the other hand is only one third through his recovery but is doing better everyday. Now that you understand that I have had some time off work, you will understand that I have had plenty of time to think and reflect and really put things into perspective. So I would like to share a few key things that I have learnt throughout the year.

• Be flexible:  Sad that it has taken probably half my life to learn this, and I am sure it is the first thing most people would teach, but for someone who is and always has been a bit of a control freak and needs to have everything planned and organised, I have finally learned that while I am making all the arrangements, life is happening around me and I am missing out. Have a plan, but be loose in your approach to carrying it out, because when a curve ball hits, you need to adapt.

• Be thankful: When you find yourself in a tight spot, stop, breathe, assess and understand that there will always be something to be thankful for, no matter how small it is. There is so much truth in, 'every cloud has a silver lining.' I promise it is there, you just have to want to find it.

• Expect Nothing: Life is full of surprises and one thing I have learned is that expectation is the only reason for disappointment. If you expect nothing, then life is always full of surprises,  and everyone likes a surprise. You may think this is a negative statement, but quite the contrary - if you do everything in your daily life, for yourself and no one else's benefit, when if you receive any reward whatsoever, you are in effect doubly rewarded, by your own accomplishment and the recognition you receive from others. Often you will be surprised by who stands with you during dark moments in your life.

• Keep an open mind:  You may have an idea or feeling about something, and may have used the words 'never',  'I won't,' or 'over my dead body.' These are words or phrases that only stifle growth and independence. Don't shut down or dismiss ideas or preconceptions you may have had. Be open to listen to feel and to understand and life may surprise you with something beautiful and unexpected. Rather, be curious, question, share and learn as this is the only way to grow.  

Often we try so hard to live up to and meet other people's expectations. Sometimes we are trying to live up to our own expectations and if you are like me, these can be really high and mostly unachievable. Stop for a moment and don't set unrealistic goals, refocus your priorities, decide what is important to you and then go forward knowing that you will only expend your energy on these things.

As you approach 2023, I hope that you will be able to take something from my experiences and that you will go into the new year celebrating the one just gone and looking forward to the lessons to be learned in coming days as you make memories and share in life.

Make it another year where you can look back and really like the reflection you have cast upon the water.

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!