2021 cup of reflection … dipping a bit of optimism… while sitting on a rollercoaster!

While holding my cup, and dipping my tea bag; I came across my favorite quote for this year: “Growth, success, achievement, and progress itself, is not a straight line in one direction, but rather necessitates a step or two backward, a couple of steps sideways, some zigzagging, and circular motions in order to ultimately move forward.” In MY OWN words, it is a Rollercoaster!?

It’s the year-end period! It’s time to set up my out-of-office message to take some time off and connect with my partner, kids, family, and friends. Looking at myself in the mirror… here are my reflections…

The most important thing in life - yes it is particularly THE ONLY MOST- is our health! For that, we need to take control over our body, mind, and TIME, and never get carried away with our dreams, jobs, work, life, or people, forgetting what it takes and needs to be meaningfully around our loved ones or achieve anything we desire. I invite you all to make sure that you disconnect frequently and consciously, stay away from and unplug all your devices - even if for one day - and either connect with your own self, beloved ones or nature. Learn more about work-life harmony, not balance. Remember that your soul and body need to heal and recharge to be able to pursue YOUR very own dreams ..!?

I have also noticed that my reflection is not about the ONE SINGLE YEAR-END journey, it is rather my cumulative learning to date. This truly made me realize a bigger perspective! What I experienced, failed, wished for, feared, succeeded, achieved hence where I stand today! 2021 made me become the loving (supported) wife and partner for 12 + years, working MOTHER for 9 years, a woman in the corporate world for 15+ years, a female leader for 9+ years, a person in the Covid world trying to figure out what it is ( like most of you ) for 2 years, a woman who embarked on a new dream job for months, daughter of cancer patients again…AND A CROHN’S PATIENT MYSELF FOR ONE YEAR…( oh what an experience it is to wait, wish, fear or imagine sometimes …!) https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/crohns-disease?amp=true

Why should I care about that holistic view? Let us have a closer look at that zigzag and round motion in the rollercoaster. Acknowledging progress and celebrating failures and successes are impactful. Because trying is FUN! And reimagining how things could have been done differently is an extremely rewarding learning for the future if you mix it with self-appreciation. This is what turns the kindness you have inwards and brings persistence to life.?What mainly helped me, was dipping a bit of optimism in any challenging experience (with people or in situations). This was a reminder to believe in my strengths and say: I HAVE GOT THIS and I’m blessed that it is NOT worse today. A few traits stood out and contributed to my fun ride and I hope it would inspire you to think about them too; self - leadership, being ambitious yet content, resilient, grateful, tolerant, friendly competitive (as we all team up), admiration for others successes, being curious, confident and fearless! Not to forget the impact of support that I got from my loved ones (my support system), friends, coach, coworkers across the world, or the beauty of making new friends (even if virtually in 2021 which was indeed a highlight).?

In summary, my reflection is “always remember, to look at your life as if it is your favorite cup of tea that needs you to dip a bit of optimism (no matter what happens) to enjoy the flavor of your desired achievement or the taste of living the moment! Then have fun with the ride on your own rollercoaster!” Take a few moments and acknowledge your own learnings and cumulative progress over the years!!

Thank you to everyone who contributed to my journey … with the same spirit, I would like to dip my optimism as 2021 comes to an end with hopefully a bright 2022 on the horizon and wish you all a Happy New Year full of HEALTH, beautiful moments, more learnings and desired achievements #staysafe?

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