.jpg)
Goodbye 2017
As the night falls here in Illinois, I'm thinking about what this year brought to me and the lessons I learned.
Lesson 1- You gotta have friends...
(Yep, you're singing along with me now, aren't you?)
I've had the joy of reconnecting with old friends this year along with keeping connected with friends who are no longer in my daily universe. I have several local writer friends I make sure I spend time with frequently, typically over a meal. I've learned a lot from these connections about life and my chosen profession.
Lesson 2 - Families are forever
Good or bad, your family is part of you. I may not reach out enough, but I'm trying to keep those connections solid.
Lesson 3 - If it's going to be, it's up to me.
As an adult, no one is going to be looking over your shoulder to see if you're following up on your goals. No one (except my husband when I whine) tells me to get back to writing. If I miss a deadline, that's on me. Not the friends who talked me into going shopping every Saturday for the last three months.
And I think there's one more lesson I learned this year.
Lesson 4- Celebrate your accomplishments
I didn't have parents who rewarded me for good grades. So I'm used to putting in a lot of effort for little accomplishments. But even though I wasn't raised that way, I can teach myself to be kind and gentle to myself. Which means giving props when they are due. Like when I finish a book. Or release a book. Or hit a list.
What are some lessons you've learned this year?
