Strolling Down Memory Lane

While doing some post-holiday purging yesterday, I came across a pile of journals and realized it’s been almost 20 years that I have been jotting thoughts and reflections down. So all productive activity immediately stopped while I starting flipping through the years. It’s really amazing to say the least to look back and see what you thought and felt at the time. But I found there are so things I would tell younger me:

• People will come and go through our lives. Some will always be there, some will leave but eventually return, some will leave forever and some will return in a new role but each will have a unique impact.?
• Trust your gut. If there’s a real red flag of something on the horizon, you're going to know it more often than you believe in the moment.
• But there's a corollary: so many things you worry about each day will never come to pass. Don't let yourself be consumed by fear of the unknown (or the imagined).
• The challenges you'll face at work will shape how you approach things today: what’s really important, understanding the dynamic of personalities, embracing opportunities, not letting work consume your life.?
• Share what you know: write, present, mentor, tutor, teach. Your perspective and experience is more valuable than you recognize in the moment.
• Work to cut out the things that are not bringing you joy or satisfaction.
• Understand the only feelings you can completely control or change are your own.
• Give back, find an outlet to serve. Make sure you celebrate how the causes and efforts have evolved over time and the difference you made.?
• Take good chances especially if you’re feeling down and have an opportunity to stretch and grow
• Never stop learning, whether it's formally or informally

Most importantly, find your outlet. Writing what I am feeling and thinking honestly does help keep me moving forward. But I know it’s not for everyone. Find your release!