2009, I Complete You

I found this here and thought it would be good to share with you. 2009 was incredible. It was also a struggle in a few distinct corners of my life. My wish for 2010 is the same level of incredible, and the personal ability to control and change those difficult corners.

1. What do you want to acknowledge yourself for in regard to 2009?
(What did you create? What challenges did you face with courage and strength? What promises did you keep to yourself? What brave choices did you make? What are you proud of?)

2009 was a very big year for us. Obviously, we got married. We planned a wedding. I personally experienced incredible joy in planning our wedding. I loved the creativity, the inspiration, and meeting new people. Clearly, planning a wedding is stressful too. I feel I grew up quite a bit with some of the harder choices we had to make, and the financial responsibility of it all.

In other areas of our life, I persevered with work - staying true to myself but working to maintain needed flexibility. I've learned more about what I want, what makes me happy, and what I no longer want.

2009 was a very reaffirming year for friendships. My friendships in Hawaii took deeper root and became even more fulfilling. My friendships outside of Hawaii continue strong and I felt a sense of re-energy as I saw so many friends at the wedding and other parts of the year. I am very, very lucky to have particularly awesome friends. I'm proud that I chose them, and that I've worked hard to maintain my relationships.

Bryan and I grew even closer together this year. Not just because of the wedding but that certainly helped. More than ever, we're clearly on the same path. And we're excited to walk it together.

2. What is there to grieve about 2009?
(What was disappointing? What was scary? What was hard? What can you forgive yourself for?)

2009 was very hard from a professional perspective. Many, many people can probably say the same thing. While I was lucky to hold onto my paycheck, I had to make some very hard personal compromises. I am not yet okay with them. I hope 2010 brings opportunity that allows me to find peace with my professional life.

They say life hands you lemons and you make lemonade. I didn't make lemonade. I tried but ultimately I just made a very sour face. That was often very frustrating. In a very slight way, it was also empowering. I hope 2010 is filled with more lemonade, and less sour faces.

3. What else do you need to say about the year to declare it complete?Okay, the next step is to say out loud, "I declare 2009 complete!" How do you feel? If you don't feel quite right, there might be one more thing to say...

2009, I'm pretty peeved you couldn't be 100% wonderful. I would have really liked to soak in my wonderful looking out at more wonderful. That said, I'm blown away by what we accomplished together. If your sister, 2010, is as awesome as you were, I am happy to declare you complete.

The final step is to consider your primary focus for the year to come. What is your primary intention or theme for 2010? Is it the year of joy? the year of self-care? the year of partnership? Stand up and say it proud, "2010 is my year of...

2010 is the year of stick-to-it-ness. I have so many dreams for myself and they are likely all attainable if I stick to it and don't let any lemons take me off course.

(argh, the formatting on this is a mess and I can't fix it. This must be 2009's last laugh with me!)