As we close 2021’s chapter and flip to the unknown pages of 2022’s, here are 21 things I’ll take with me from this year’s journey.
- We Are Encouragement Deprived – not enough, try harder, do more are messages we’re bombarded with. Speak affirmation and encouragement, to yourself and those around you.
- Push Past Your Stories – beyond the story you’ve told yourself (or been told by others) about who you are or aren’t lies someone braver, more creative, and more powerful than you ever dreamed possible.
- What Do You REALLY Want? – What do you want? No, what do you REALLY want? Thanks Jim Dethmer.
- A Shared Responsibility is No One’s Responsibility. Thanks Marcy Johnson.
- You Reach The Summit One Step at a Time – You don’t lose 40 pounds overnight, climb a mountain in minutes, or get rich quick. Tiny, daily habits get you there.
- Compound Relationships – “I wish I invested less in the relationships in my life.” – no dying person, ever.
- Celebrate. Smile. Laugh. – Maybe we all take stuff a little too seriously.
- Failure Means You Tried – And for that, you should be applauded. Not ashamed.
- Death is on the Doorstep – A great friend gave me a great book, based on the old book of Ecclesiastes. We’re but a breath. In 250 years, no one will remember us. We’re all destined for death. The invitation is to allow that reality to shape how we live.
- Right, Wrong, or the Third Way – I hurt myself and others when I argue about who is right or wrong. Perhaps we can meet on the other side of door #3 instead. Where we move into understanding and acceptance.
- Invite More, Declare Less – The way of invitation and development of others is slower today, but will be far more rewarding in decades.
- Go Outside – Whatever the elements, get outside today. It’s healing. And it’s calling us.
- Simplify Your Life – If you haven’t worn it in 2 years, you’re never going to. Give it away.
- Run Headfirst into the Flames – Cowardly is the way of comfort. Bravery stares at the inferno, says “holy…I’m scared”, and then heads in. Thanks Dan Holmgren.
- Breathe Deeply – Making 5 minutes a day to breathe deeply seems impossible every day. And then when it’s done, it’s life-giving.
- Everyone Is Making It Up – And doing their best. No one has all the answers. We all need guides.
- Cope in Healthier Ways – Anxiety, fear, depression, and suffering are real. And we all cope with said brokenness, let’s shoot for coping in gradually healthier ways.
- You Have What It Takes – Get quiet, get clear, and trust yourself.
- Pain Won’t Kill You – Instead of avoiding it, stop, stare at it, then surrender to it. It won’t kill you, but running from it might.
- Satchel of Songs – We all have a satchel full of ideas, dreams, businesses, adventures within us. Will you sing them or keep them stuffed?
- Love Conquers All – And it’s undefeated.
- Bonus: Sleep – It’s magical. And we don’t get near enough of it.
Farewell, 2021. You’ve paved the way for a new story.