Reflection

This article will be short as I am still processing the effect of several events that occurred this past week. I find myself taking some time to look back on the past year mostly to understand my progress.?I typically do this every year during the week between Christmas and New Year’s. This week has had some challenges.?The event that affected me the most this week was losing a friend on Christmas day. As I processed this loss, I found myself looking for the lesson. We can carry the regret, in my case we hadn’t spoken in some time, or we can seek the lesson. It made me pause and think about where and how I spend my energy and how I have spent it this year.?Am I putting energy into the right relationships and people? Am I avoiding painful feelings by distracting myself instead of working through the issues/pain? Are there habits I need to optimize further or add to my routine? Much like looking at a map, is my route heading towards my goal if I plot out what I have done this year? I have been doublechecking my priorities to remove any items that are not critical so I can focus on those that matter the most. I find I need to let go of a few relationships so I can put more effort and energy into others. I also find myself asking who may has had a major impact on my life so far.?Have I told them the impact they had and the difference they have made? Am I putting enough energy into our friendship? Am I behaving in a manner that is true to my beliefs? Am I acting from my heart?

If I were to give a recommendation, make sure you tell the people who are important to you that they matter and why.?Tell them how they have made a difference in your life while you can.?None of us are guaranteed a tomorrow, the gift is the present. My sentiment can be summed up in this statement:?Don’t come to my funeral to tell me how much you will miss me, tell me that I matter while I am alive so I can give more.

I wish all of you a happy, healthy and peaceful new year.