Where did the year go? It seems just last week that I was outlining my plans for 2022, and here we are at the beginning of 2023. It has been a year of ups and downs. I have had a number of successes that I’m proud of. I’ve also had some hope-for outcomes fail to materialize, and some unexpected distractions along the way. Overall, however, it has been as good a year as was possible under the circumstances. And I’m very much looking forward to this next one.
Checking Back In
It has been a while since I have posted here. I have unintentionally taken a bit of a summer hiatus. New projects have emerged, and I’ve also been reflecting on my overall focus and intent here as I find my voice and hit my stride with some of my other endeavours. I’m excited to be back here, contributing, observing, reflecting and sharing. I look forward to that continuing going forward.
Ride for the Breath of Life 2022
Every year, the Ride for the Breath of Life raises funds for Cystic Fibrosis research. I have been participating for many of the seventeen years that the ride has been held. This year, my participation was once again virtual, as I rode alongside but at a distance with those that gathered in Edmonton. It was a spectacular day, for a very important cause. It is a cause that I am happy to support, and I’m grateful for the generosity of everyone that sponsored my participation.
To a Much Different Year
We find ourselves at the beginning of another new year. Without much effort, it could feel a lot like the years that have just past. I very much hope for a different outcome. Experiencing differently, though, requires doing differently. To that end, I am stepping out of my comfort zone and shifting gears a little bit as we go forward. Part of the reason for that shift is professional, without question. Some if it is also very personal, as I challenge myself to take on new experiences and show up in different ways than I have in the past.
Reflections on an Unexpected Year
We are entering into the final days of 2021. It has been a whirlwind and a roller coaster. The year has felt interminable, and it has gone by in the blink of an eye. There has been hope and there has been frustration. There have been a few successes along the way, and not an inconsiderable number of setbacks. As I reflect on my own year, I can honestly say that I have accomplished more than I might have expected, and leave the year with a positive stance. That outcome was not always a certainty.
My Writing Year – 2021
Once again, we approach the close of the year. 2021 has been a difficult and awkward year for many, myself included. Despite that, it has arguably been one of my best writing years yet. A lot of what I have written is personal. Much of it is heart-felt, if not heart-wrenching. Many of the messages and conclusions I arrive at are important for myself to pay attention to, let alone anyone else joining me on this journey. What follows is an exploration of your favourite writing of the year, as well as mine. In most things there is alignment, but there are a few outliers along the way as well.