Ariane’s Blog
A place to explore, embrace & make change happen
Your Personal Year In Review
It's that time of year that everyone is making lists, talking about who's who and sizing up everything that happened in 2008. At the end of a year, your mind can also feed you some pretty tough questions about yourself.
Why didn’t you lose the weight? Why did you not sell those stocks and get into cash? Why are you still single?
Whatever question is tormenting you, it’s time to get your mind to focus on what really matters now. Remember, you get what you focus on. Here are 10 questions to print out, answer and give some attention to. Get your friends and family to answer them as well. You will learn a lot about each other if you do.
- What was the best thing that happened to me this year?
- What did I do this year that I’m really proud of?
- Who did I really help?
- Who do I need to thank and acknowledge for having been there for me?
- What are the top three lessons I learned?
- What increased my happiness and joy this year?
- What’s something I got through that was really tough?
- What did I avoid that I must pay more attention to in 2009?
- What character trait did I develop most this year?
- What new people did I meet that are now in my life?
Some of these questions may take some time and thought to answer, and that’s OK. At the end you should be able to see that you’ve made some progress on at least one front in your life! Give yourself a bit of credit for that.
1) Best thing that happened to me this year: got into PhD program and got a job at the school!
2) What did I do this year I'm really proud of? I went backpacking through 5 countries in Central America this past summer with my 4-year old son
3) Who did I really help: I met this young man on his way to a new country through treacherous means -- he had barely any money and had only the clothes on his back and a photo of his kids he was leaving behind in search of better economic opportunities. I gave him some money, crackers and peanut butter I had with me, water, and a rosary I had gotten at the Vatican to help him.
4) Who do I need to thank and acknowlege for having been there for me? My mom -- always and forever. She has helped me with my son 100% of the way.
5) What are the top 3 lessons learned? never take anything for granted as life is very limited; always take care of yourself first (or at least try!); always belief in yourself because that is what counts towards completing your dreams and goals
6) What increased my happiness and joy this year? Quitting my job with the govt and spending vacation with my grandparents who visited twice.
7) What's something I got through that was really tough? I backpacked alone through Central America for more than a month with my son -- I had never done anything like this in my life and experienced many challenges along the way.
8) What did I avoid that I must pay more attention to in 2009? To stop being so critical/negative, and to finally take care of ME and lose weight!
9) What character trait did I develop most this year? Courage and strength.
10) What new people did I meet that are now in my life? 3 good friends from my former job, and my new group of grad school friends and colleages :) I am really looking forward to 2009!!! Happy New Year Everyone!
The best thing that happened to me this year having God send me 4 kittens to care for and love. They have returned the love many times over.
I am proud that I am overcoming the disappointment of a failed marriage
I really helped some of my clients
I need to thank so many friends and family for being there for me when my husband and I decided to separate.
Lessons learned. I CAN take care of myself, I am ok and a good person.
My granddaughter increased my happiness and joy this year
The tough thing was admitting that my marriage is over.
I must pay more attention to my financial situation in 2009
Character trait? Becoming a stronger and more independent person.
Several of my clients