Reflecting on 2024: A Year of More

Many people start off the year with a theme word, but I’ve not yet been able to get on that wagon. (If you know me, that’s not a surprise. I’ve always been different, moved differently, and thought differently.) But, as I sit here in quiet reflection and replay my 2024 highlight reel, I recognize that the word “More” summarizes my year perfectly.

?In a very timely message,?“I Think I’m About to Break // Managing Meltdowns Pt.1”, Dr. Dharius Daniels once said, “More of anything means more of everything.” That was a really good message, by the way, and it resonated deeply with my spirit. So much so, that I’m still thinking about it 1.5 years later. He was clearly onto something. My year came with more challenges, which led to more growth, which led to more grace, which led to more blessings.

More Challenges

Professionally, I was gifted with more employee shortages, unexpected personnel challenges and changes this year than I have experienced in all of my years as a supervisor. I started out the year with 3 employees who were relatively new and thus, required significant training. ?One quickly decided the role was not the right fit and parted ways, while another employee took a little longer (and an unexpected 2 month leave of absence during a critical period) to realize the role wasn’t a good fit. Despite it all, our team produced more. We faced obstacles head-on and emerged stronger.

More Growth

I learned so much about myself this year, especially how early life experiences have influenced my views and decisions. The truth is, there are many decisions I could’ve made differently. I chose the hard way and the scenic route more times than I care to admit. But you know what? I can’t change a single one of them today, and I don’t know that I would if I could. While some of the experiences didn’t feel good, they offered great growth opportunities. I’ll just consider them "growing pains" that resulted in more self-awareness.

More Grace

As is the case for many, I experienced some disappointments this year. Some people didn’t show up in ways I’d hoped, and some seemingly showed a blatant disregard for my feelings. It didn’t feel good—at all. I could’ve pouted. I could’ve assumed it was all intentional. I could’ve cut ties. But recognizing mistakes I’ve made along the way and missteps I’ve taken (thanks to self-awareness), it would be terribly hypocritical of me to cast judgment on them.

I see now more than ever that most of us are out here just trying our best to play the hand we’ve been dealt. Each decision we make is impactful. It’s impossible to play your hand and another’s. But just like our choices don’t always result in the desired impact, the same is true for our fellow humans. The odds are that the person who disappointed you didn’t mean to do so. It likely wasn’t about you at all. So, in treating people the way I want to be treated, I’ve tried to be intentional in giving the grace I’d hope to receive. That includes grace for myself. Things happen. Accept. Adjust. Forgive, if needed. Move on. There’s more life to live and more things to do.

More Blessings

Last, but certainly not least, I’ve experienced more freedom and opportunities than I could’ve dreamed this year. I’ve been invited to teach more. I’ve been invited to share my professional opinions more. I’ve added a mentor and a mentee to my contacts. I’ve gained deeper, meaningful friendships. Oh, and the Veterans Initiative Program (VIP) Team (all volunteers, might I add) has more than doubled, and we’ve been able to do so much more for our Veterans this year than we were last year.

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Gratitude for the Journey

There were so many lessons to take from each situation shared here. The challenges could have each been much, much worse. I’m thankful they weren’t and grateful for the lessons that came with each one. The growing pains didn’t feel good, but I am stronger and wiser than I was at the start of the year. The grace I’ve received and extended has resulted in a freedom I didn’t realize was possible. The blessings were exceedingly and abundantly above what I could ask or think. So, for it all, I’m thankful. I look forward to more in the upcoming year, and in 2025 and I hope that we all will thrive.

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