I have shared with some of you that instead of coming up with big goals or resolutions on New Year’s Day, I choose a word on my birthday and breathe life into that word for the upcoming year. I share my word if asked, which helps me keep some accountability. Sharing words, thoughts, or concepts allows us to wander but return. I am a Gemini, and most of the Geminis in my orbit are not very grounded; we can be all over the board, and we like shiny (aka, our attention span can be short at times.) Not all, but most.

This year my word is perspective. I’m seeking to find balance within perspective, bringing clarity into focus and allowing experiences that shaped my past and growing into the future. I know it may sound hippie-dippy to some, and you can blame my time at TESC.

Doing the work for myself will help me find my purpose in the community and maybe even discover my goal on this Earth– uncovering talents, gifts, and experiences. What do I bring to the table, and how are those in my world affected by my choices?

This past week had several highs, a few lows, and a few emotional moments where I felt alone on a mountainside without the training or proper gear to get back to base camp. I survived.

Life can bring you several plot twists; people you feel are essential can enter your life and share intimate moments, some surface-level; people challenge you, you challenge them, you grow, and they grow. Some people stay in your life, some exit and re-enter, and some walk on and make cameo appearances. I’m curious if I’m the only one, but with some, I’d like to reach out and ask questions– but freeze at the thought. Am I alone? Do others feel this way? In some ways, to better myself, I’d like to open that Pandora’s box and ask questions to equip my forward marching journey better.

Perspective! I am very fortunate and wealthy to no end to know that I am surrounded by some of the most incredible people on Earth. Thank you, the people in my world, for challenging me, loving me, watching me grow, fail, rebound, and allowing space for me to be vulnerable. I could improve at that, but I’m learning.