Peaks & Valleys

I would like to see my life events as chapters and not as milestones. A chapter has a neutral ring to it, a page has turned and a season has changed. A milestone feels more like an achievement, a destination that I have yearned to achieve and a place I have wished to arrive to - it feels like a goal.

The life events I had gone through were not a goal because I never really expected when such events would take place. It was an idea that I may have had but when an idea becomes a reality, it always feels like a surprise, a nice surprise indeed to have gone through the past year. If anything, when they happened.. I had to ask myself, "How is this real?".

At the same time, it felt surreal, almost like a dream. However, it felt familiar so I was not scared or doubtful to move forward. It was natural, the ease of transitioning into these new scenarios was a nice warm hug. It was comforting and I was safe and sound, I was home.

I just reached my third decade, got married, and relocated to a new province and in a city with a population of 10% from where I came from. I have always thought this day will eventually come or at least I could have kept on dreaming about it but no one really told me nor could anyone ever explain that this is what life can manifest. For me, 2022 was a year of manifestations in action, no doubt. The challenges felt more like a fun competition against the odds of these actually happening.

And maybe that is how it feels like if you are with good company and energy. It just propels you forward, through the hurdles and the peaks and valleys of life. I am grateful and thankful.

I have then categorized my life events as chapters moving forward as that truly has give me such peace and contentment. These were peaks that I've reached by moving forward and looking around, really immersing myself in this whole life experience. Whatever that means.

I dropped the idea of "resolutions" when after I turned 26 because well, life taught me that being human is being imperfect while trying to do great things. Thus, I still have dreams and a general list of things-to-do this year but the goal setting strategy I am currently focusing on are timed quarterly. This works for me since I can be more specific and measurable in what I write and I can actually check things off. I feel less attached to this greater outcome because I know that with time and space, I am able to reach new heights that I will be surprised to discover.

The valleys are beautiful, they slow things down and you are surrounded by these mountains that humbles your existence. Look around you and see the beauty of what-is. The present moment is the most beautiful gift that life can give so live it well, and live it wholeheartedly. Next thing you know, you will reach a peak and there you are, seeing how far you have come but there is more, there is always more. I hope you can enjoy short-term goals as much as I have. (and I too am still learning as well so please share some more tips!)

Quick guide on how to navigate and build on your short-term goals:

• 3-month / 6-month planning is more feasible, predictable and reliable. This timeline is further down enough for it to be challenging and close enough to today to be realistic. Time is of the essence. There will be unexpected events and it is okay to take a pause, to stop and just be. Then after a day or two, let us keep going. We are here for the long run so sustainability and quality is more important than thrills and quantity.
• Keep the list short and sweet, nothing more than 5. Ideally, 3. Make it specific. This method has kept me accountable and provided some grace for knowing that I can only tackle so much. There is a reward for giving ourselves some kindness walking through this path of change. May that be the road less travelled by or not, these are the steps I, in this can YOU have chosen to take.
• It is important to do check-ins - how am I: physically, emotionally, mentally, socially. There are other aspects of my being and as much as I want to reach a peak, I understand that it is a game of moderation, playing with the tempers of the circumstances I'm dealt with. This is where you can write down your weekly reflections, a phrase can even do if you are just starting out. This will enhance your self-awareness. Your body's response tells a story and keeps score so from time to time, just sit with yourself and breathe. How does that feel?
• Live the journey day by day - they do say "Rome wasn't built in a day" so your dream life, your aspirations need time, effort and space to manifest itself. Doing the daily grind, the tiny steps will feel fulfilling. Stay consistent and I promise you, when you reach the end of the quarter, you will feel a paradigm shift mentally and physically. There is more alignment and because you are taking the longer route, the marathon - it will be easy to pick things up again and move to the next chapter next quarter. Remember to smile. Enjoy the interactions you have with your loved ones, old friends, new friends or strangers - these are exchanges of energy, time and knowledge.
• Take life seriously (enough). Because life is precious enough to be taken seriously but also, there is not enough time to be used for worries and fears; the the parenthesis of (enough). Let us find a happy moderation between being spontaneous and finding the beauty in planning. The ideation, visualization, execution of an idea that has been sitting in our brain back burner for months and years are all worthwhile because one day, you will look back and it will be a joy to see that you have lived and you have conquered. The destination may not have been what you expected but oh man, the flashback of memories and events that brought you to your version of today are stories you will want to share and tell.

The power of resilience, determination and trust in ourselves will take us to places of wonder.

Now that you've got the Quick Start Guide on how to complete this, I hope you can enjoy the journey. This process requires commitment and commitment requires investment of emotion and efforts so be ready. I would love to hear your short term goals here or if you message me, I am a huge fan of seeing growth and happy to always collaborate when it's possible to get us all to different heights.

Also, if you celebrate Lunar New Year - have a wonderful year filled with prosperity, good health and happy memories! ??????

#yearinreview2022