a reflection of my 2011

one of my favorite parts of a new year is the reflection of the past year. normally i just write a stream of thoughts, memories, words, people, etc to represent the year. but this year i think i'll try something different...i'm going to reflect on the year with themes. because i realize i have a few from 2011. all of which i'm proud of.

out with the old.

maybe it's my fierce loyalty but it's seldom that i let someone "go" or said another way lose touch w/ them or stop making an effort. but starting this time last year and throughout 2011 i've let a few people go, boys mainly. and it's not that i don't still care for these boys, in fact, i always will, but it's more that i finally gained the clarity to see that having them in my life just isn't healthy for me. that was a BIG realization. one that shows me i've grown and i'm ready to look out for me in a way that i've never done before. i miss them, but all in all, life is brighter. and drama free. it's glorious.

finding the silver lining.

i've always prided myself on finding the silver lining in just about anything. however, this past year really pushed me when i was challenged to move through some situations that we quite difficult for me. the one year anniversary of my mom's passing. the unhealthy culture i was surrounded by in my job this past year, and what i speak of in theme #1, learning how to let go of the old. and through each one of these things i was able to stay true to my silver lining.

My mom's passing: well, feb 2011 marked 1 year, which meant i survived the first year. And that told me it was time to look forward and see a way to continue, even if mom wasn't coming back. And by looking forward, i finally discovered my true calling, my purpose which will become my business in 2012. And that's something i would've never expected would come from such a horrible experience, but that's the silver lining.

The job that was more challenging than it was worth: well, it led me to a couple pretty wonderful people, namely 2 people called Tracy who felt like my guardian angles during this past year at work. I know they'll be in my life forever and for that, it was all worth it.

And out with the old: well, as i noted above--life is brighter as a result. and i know i'm much more prepared to receive the new...whenever he choses to arrive.

discovering purpose.

i knew when i moved here back in 2009 i didn't just pick up and leave my whole world (and sell an incredible condo) to just live in LA. i was on a search for something different, a new journey. well as we all know i got run off the road a few months in and have been battling back since then. well, in august of this year i had my ah-ha moment, i discovered my purpose. in thinking about what i've always loved about advertising--the people aspect, the mentoring, managing, growing folks on my team as well as the analytical piece that goes deep to see what makes people tick--and combining that with all that i've been through this past year lead me to my purpose. to help people become the best versions of themselves

i an effort to pay it forward, i want to help people through changes, transitions, things that they are struggling with on their own or didn't even realize they could use help with. i want to empower and inspire them as their coach and i want them to feel how i feel today, that anything is possible, we just may need a bit of help mapping it out. the thought of helping people create change or survive change and become better off as a result completely inspires me. i can't wait to kick off this new purpose with my new business in 2012!!

i think that sums up what i would call the main themes of this past year. to give some more color to the year...here are some other memories that sum up the year of 2011: survival, sunshine, friends who became family, visitors: shawn, tracey & todd, vance & rosa, cousin sheryl, rachel & steve, steve & carla wedding, trips: hawaii, montana, new orleans, aspen, phila, my awesome family bonded together forever for another year, friends with new babies (kelly, cathy), finding my calling, finding the Hudson Institute, life launch, my new support group, santa barbara, the end of dwh(!), wrapping therapy, onto coaching, turning 35, tarot card reading, first thanksgiving at shawns, and a quiet, reflective new year's with me myself and i.

Happy new year to all my readers, thanks for staying with me! Look out for a whole new ride in 2012 :)