Alas, ladies and gentlemen. 2013 is only a few nights away and at this moment I am reflecting on how much I have learned and grown this year. I've had some hits, some misses, and made some moves in which I still await a verdict. All in all, I can say that 2012 has been very good to me. As a way of charting my progress and preparing myself for the upcoming year, I decided to do Rosetta Thurman's Annual Review (courtesy of Happy Black Woman). It has been very helpful to me, so I would like to share my review with you guys in hopes that you will do this review for yourselves also. I will warn you in advance-- it's a lengthy read so bear with me!
What I Want to Remember About 2012
What was the most valuable lesson you learned this year? Spread love as much as you can and as often as you can. I don't always have the means to give as much as I would like to financially, but as long as I'm breathing, I always have the ability to love. Being able to show love to another is such an underrated experience. In turn, I don't know what I would do without the love I've received from my closest friends, family, and even complete strangers. Love is what really keeps us alive.
What professional accomplishments (at work or in your business) were you most proud of this year? I am most proud that I now have a sponsor here! Stay tuned as I will share more about this next month.
What was your favorite family/friends moment from 2012? My favorite family/friends moment from 2012 was definitely my grandfather's birthday party. My grandfather is a warm, loving, wise, and highly respected man in the community and it warmed my heart to see so many people come out to celebrate his life. The conversations, hugs, and pleasantries shared among family and friends combined with good eating and music made for an awesome day. My grandma even smiled long enough to take pictures :) It was a beautiful thing to know our family was able to come together and share love for my grandfather in a big way, as he is getting up in age. And he was overwhelmed with joy!
What was the best book/blog/song/movie/restaurant/city/country/etc. you discovered this year?
Book: the first that comes to mind is Farther Than I Meant To Go, Longer Than I Meant To Stay by Tiffany Warren. It's a book I read via the FWB Book Club. I learned so much about being patient, waiting on the Lord, and consulting Him in all areas of my life from this read.
Blog: I have fallen in love with Christa all because of her blog, Inspired by Beatrice Clay. When I joined Bloggers Like Me, her blog is one of the first I came across. Her words were so inspiring, her thoughts were so insightful, and her challenges always motivated me to do better. Please be sure to check out the blog and tell her I sent ya over there!
Song: To ask me to choose one song for the year is like offering me one chip from an entire can of Sour Cream and Onion Pringles. This is a difficult task! The ratchet side of me wants to say Cashin' Out by Cash Out because it has played a million times in my car this year lol. And the romantic side of me wants to say Adorn by Miguel for the same reason. But if I had to choose a theme song for the year I would have to say Stand Up by Jessie J.
Movie: The Perks of Being a Wallflower was one of my favorite movies of the year. Note I did not say Avengers (mainly because I've raved about it so much this year already!). Please check it out if you haven't already.
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What I Want to Leave Behind As I Enter 2013
Which personal development area(s) did you make the LEAST progress on this year: health, finances, education, relationships, family, work and/or lifestyle? I have made the least progress in my health goals this year. I need to start going to the doctor more often. The belief that I can concoct something at home that can make me feel brand new is not as true as I once thought. I've never had high blood pressure before this year, so that is the first indicator that I need to take better care of my health. I also need to take my physical fitness goals more seriously. (Anyone in the area in need of a workout partner? I am so serious!)
What promises (to yourself or others) did you break in 2012? In 2012, I vowed to spend more time with my friends and put more effort into making more connections. Needless to say, I didn't do as much of either as I would have liked. I have a tendency to retreat to my own personal space when I'm going through things. Instead of seeking comfort and solace from friends, I tend to push them away and keep to myself. From now on (starting tonight and not waiting until 2013) I will make more of an effort to nurture my friendships, reach out to my friends, and be there for them when they need me. I'm for real this time. I will also step out of my comfort zone and try my hardest to meet new people in my area by attending more events and accepting more invitations.
What arguments/gossip/hurtful comments, if any, did you participate in or make this year that you wish you could take back and/or apologize for? I haven't had any heated arguments with anyone that I can recall (as I tend to avoid conflict as much as possible), but I have had issues with individuals that took place back in 2011 that as of tonight have still been unresolved. Sometimes, I wish the whole ordeal would have never taken place, but when I look back at everything I realize it was inevitable. The only thing that bothers me about the situation is it has affected relationships with my family and it has affected by ability to trust others. I wish I knew how to resolve it, but for now I don't.
What opportunities, if any, did you miss out on in 2012 because of fear or procrastination? Fear has placed so many roadblocks in my life. So much so, that I may have to address that at another time in another way. This year it has prevented me from sharing my true feelings with others, taking chances, and making changes I know are necessary for my growth. With God's help, I know I can move past the fear though. Keep me in your prayers, guys.
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What I Want to Bring Into My Life in 2013
What do you deserve more of next year? What do you deserve less of next year? In 2013, I believe I deserve more love. I will allow more love and happiness to pour into my life. I deserve less disappointment, dishonesty, and negativity.
What personal milestone(s) do you most want to reach this year in your relationships, health, family, finances, education and/or lifestyle? This upcoming year, I wish to spend more quality time with my husband and children, visit the doctor and exercise more often, make better financial choices that will better benefit my children, add another skill set/diploma/certificate and degree to my resume', and spend more time connecting with others.
What professional accomplishments (at work or in your business) do you want to see for yourself this year? I would love to have a functioning work from home business, get started with my freelance MUA efforts, and to assist my daughter with her ambitions of starting a jewelry line.
What do you want to learn in 2013? I want to learn to sew!
What do you want to cross off of your bucket list in 2013? I want to cross visiting Las Vegas and meeting three of my blogger besties in my head off my bucket list in 2013.
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What I Want My Life to Look Like in 2013
What part of your life do you want to pay more attention to in 2013? I want to pay more attention to my family life in 2013. Of course, I have professional and personal goals for myself, but I want to put more effort into building and strengthening my family.
Who do you want to spend more time with in 2013? I want to spend more time with my friends in 2013. I hate that my closest friends live so far away, as our time spent together is quite limited. But I have no problem hopping on a plane so I can look in their faces more often this year! I also have special people in my life that live less than an hour's drive from me that I hope to make more great memories with next year as well.
Which activities, habits or behaviors, if any, do you want to stop doing in 2013 because they are no longer in alignment with your values? As I mentioned before, I have a habit of retreating to self. I spend more time alone than I probably should. And this is something that has only started happening within the last two years. I would love to be more social and less introverted, so I have to stop this behavior.
Which activities do you want to start and/or continue doing in 2013? I want to spend more time enjoying my city this year. I've been living here for a few years now, and have only recently started enjoying all that the city has to offer. I also would like to visit other landmarks besides the beach. Perhaps I could plan another trip to the mountains soon! All in all, I want to see some new stuff!
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Have you taken the time to reflect on all that has taken place, all you have accomplished, and things that didn't go as you liked in 2012?
