I’m Movin’ On …

Yup, I’ve moved into 2021! I’m here — with packed experiences and lessons learned from last year.

Many articles, posts, memes, and newsfeeds this first week of 2021 have declared, “good riddance to 2020 … what a year … the year of oof, ugh, crap” etc., and of course all included or referenced the “C” word.

I’ve added this word to the handful of “C” words I despise.

Like many things, there is always good to the bad (a core belief of mine) so, it won’t come as a surprise that I have a few “C” words I adore and live by. Words like caring, confidence, clarity, commitment, community, comfort, courage, and a BIG one for me is the word choice.

I’m privileged with choice. Many in the world are not. Some have even made unusual or unwise choices. We sadly witnessed that last year. These choice of words — spoken and/or demonstrated through action (or lack thereof) — left me feeling ill, hurt, sad, disgusted, and full of disappointment at times. Last year (notice I’ve made the choice not to refer to the “C” word) changed everything; for everyone, all over the world. It’s still so hard to comprehend.

But I believe this creates (oh another “C” word I love) a lesson — if we choose to accept it. Herein lies my ‘good-with-the-bad’ belief. Sh!t happens! — with and without the crappy “C” word that dominated 2020 and has carried its bag(gage) into 2021.

Yet, so does goodness. My focus on the good sure wasn’t easy last year, but rooted in my DNA is the ability to recover from bad experiences, live through rays of hope, and surround myself with happy, healthy relationships.

I’ve written before how experience is the best form of learning for me. I love experiencing new things and sharing it with others. So ya, it was sh!tty when I didn’t do the things and have the experiences last year that I had planned. Like the privilege of:

· Going on my annual trip to Los Barriles, Mexico, for pleasure and purpose, while also sharing it with my husband for the first time (last time we both were in Mexico together was our honeymoon, 27 years ago).

· Planning to co-host the leaders2inspire retreat while in Mexico.

· Standing proudly at my daughter’s university graduation; beaming as she accepted her Bachelor of Recreation and Leisure Studies (Honours) — with First Class Standing.

· Attending my first destination wedding (in Dominican Republic) celebrating one of my bestie’s daughter’s nuptials.

· Coordinating our annual family picnic/reunion with my ‘Prosecco Sisters’ and celebrating a 70-yr tradition.

· Co-representing leaders2give, at the Camp Midlife retreat in California.

· Regular visits to see my 80-year-old parents at Brady Lake where they live; who, while vulnerable, have fortunately avoided major illness.

· Backyard BBQs with friends or other ANO (Adult Night Out) parties.

· Ringing in 2021 with my son, visiting my daughter and her boyfriend in BC (they moved there last Fall).

… and the list goes on.

Rather than reflecting on what wasn’t, I’m choosing to focus on what is; what I DID manage to do last year, among debate, lockdowns, masks, and alcohol (for my hands and my tummy). Privileges like:

· Updating my vision board. It now includes the spreadsheet I created with all the credits I have on file with airlines, hotels, and car rentals for places I didn’t get to. (+ I’ve added more places to go)

· Learning I don’t need to stand to be proud of the many accomplishments my daughter, and son, have achieved.

· Houseparty’s can be just as fun on the app.

· Reuniting with a long-time friend, with whom I lost touch with for 15 years. She and I met in Grade 6 and we grew up together. We even shared an incredible experience back-packing in Europe over 30 years ago. This of course was a fond trip down memory lane when we reconnected.

· Continuing my love for mountain-biking, and I even did the ‘Triple Trail Challenge’ (30 km!)

· Puppy-proofing our house. Bauer arrived in June, proving a new fur-baby never replaces an old one — it merely expands the heart.

· Starting to write my book — discovering a local park bench that inspires my thoughts. (and now that it’s covered in snow, it’s time to find an inspirational winter writing spot).

· Accepting I need to learn more on racism; grateful I can.

· Perfecting “cop-style” coffee-meets with friends and determining that socially-distanced parking-lot rendezvous aren’t creepy. (it’s resourceful).

· Having good health is a gift.

· Learning that Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet aren’t just for professionals. I’ve seen some friends more than I would typically see in-person in a year and discovered a bonus — there is no designated driver required on Virtual GNO’s (Girls Night Out).

· There is nothing more therapeutic than dog-walking in the park. (well, ok, walking barefoot in the sand on a beach would be right up there).

· Baking like I owned my own pastry shop. (now I need to start my own exercise gym)

· Establishing new family traditions, which still fills the heart from afar.

· Understanding that family are like branches on a tree — we all go in different directions, but our roots remain as one.

There is much more to this list, which I’ve packed up and moved into 2021 with me. I’m using all these learnings and lessons to drive my motivation on this journey of book/blog writing.

I leave this post citing this simple message from one of the greats.

I’ve added my own PS.

Fondly & inDEBted,

With over 24 years of Mom experience and 35 years of business experience, I’m sharing my success — along with my gifts — through my story in a witty insightful way, so that people can live their best life!

Blogging is my chosen first step in fulfilling my dream as an author.

I am also serving as the Chief Experience Officer and a Content Writer for leaders2inspire; and proudly serving as a Board Member of leaders2give, our non profit (for purpose!)