This year has been a roller coaster. Emotionally, professionally, and personally. Many years are. But this year went from high highs to low lows. It has been a year of learning, clarity and direction.
Personally, I began the year with my husband unemployed and all the struggles and strife that come with that. I also turned 62 and have begun to take notice of the changes in my physical body as well as my emotional mental health and overall attitude toward things. I find myself contemplating, drifting, and fixating on my legacy. As well, I am still grieving with my sister who lost her 21-year-old soldier just before Easter while he was fighting for justice in the Ukraine. To say our family will never be the same is an understatement. These have been some of the darkest months of my life. As I reflect on these trying times I am reminded of the strength and love of family and friends and the endurance that held myself and those around mi together.
Professionally, this was my best year yet for my photography business. In addition to taking photos at three small weddings and officiated two of those, I have had the pleasure of shooting nearly twenty amazing people including a couple’s 50th wedding anniversary with family, two new babies, several high school graduates, and a two-time cancer survivor embracing her chemo created bald head. This is the 35th issue of the magazine. Although the pandemic tried to end us, we are gaining new subscribers and have twelve dedicated writers sharing their wisdom and influence throughout our pages.
Fabulous Business Solutions has assisted 11 new clients in their business journey this year, as well as provide continual help to 4 of our previous clients. Fabulous Connections Spot hosted over six events and provided a meeting space for over 12 locals to have their meetings, classes, etc.
On another note, this year I completed a CRP class, spoke at three events, and started a monthly meet-and-mingle networking group as a means for local businesses to collaborate in a creative, non-traditional way and grow their audience.
Now, I have never been one to make resolutions at the beginning of a new year. I prefer to recap the year and decide what I will carry over into the new year and what I will leave behind. As I said, this has been a year of learning, clarity, and direction. The end of the year always opens my eyes to how things got started, and how they evolved. I can focus clearly on what I had hoped for and what I have currently. A few things have become blatantly clear to mi this year. Perhaps some of them I may have known all along but this year they really hit mi over the head and are now entwined into my very being.
What I learned this year is this:
It’s okay to not be ok. There are many times I wanted to help someone hurting, to comfort them and make everything better, to show up for others but I found myself in my own sadness or confusion and felt helpless, and lifelike. I found myself at my emotional limit my compassion meter could not soak in other’s issues. I felt like an awful friend and person in general, but I learned it’s okay to not be ok. Those in your life who understand, understand.
Things will happen that we do not understand. As a person of faith, of course, I would hope for answers at some point but need to do my best to rely on the trust that my faith assures will help mi heal.
How people feel about you is not about you. Many are going through things we know nothing about and more than that.. not everyone thinks, feels, sees things, or responds like YOU. And that’s OK. Be kind anyway.
Do what lights you up but share that light with others.
Turning 62 this year has really had mi working on what I am creating, the life I will leave behind, and the legacy that will remain. I don’t want to simply be remembered. I want to be repeated. I want to inspire, encourage, and motivate others even after I am no longer around. The idea is not to live forever but to create something that will. What am I creating? What am I leaving?
So, what am I leaving in 2023? I am leaving doubt, insecurity, and the opinions of others. I am leaving intolerance and negative vibes.
And I will carry into the new year, the legacy of my nephew and share his story with others. I will bring laughter and inspiration to others, and I will share my faith by what I do, by my actions and reactions. In hopes that I might make a difference in my little corner of the world.
As you read through the pages of this issue I hope you are inspired by its contents, that you will contemplate what to let go of with the old year and what to carry with you to the new for your own life.
Life is fleeting.
Grab it. Embrace it.
stay fabulous, stay you,
“mi”