My year in review

JodieDownUnder

Happy New Year to all. This is what I woke to this morning. I was filled with hope & gratitude. 2021 was a good year for me, in the scheme of things. An adventure holiday in Tasmania, a successful shoulder op, great health, a wonderful relationship with my wife that keeps getting better. I think I’m lucky, I try to choose the positive, surround myself with those experiences & people, thats what I concentrate on. Sure, there’s been some “ not so good moments” but they pale into insignificance.

I enjoy my involvement with TGN. A great place for learning, acceptance, giving & sharing. Thank you to all involved with this wonderful world wide group of like minds. I am grateful for the friendships & knowledge that I’ve gained.

I hope 2022 is a good year for everyone. Please be kind, to yourselves and everyone around you. It goes a long way!

How has your year been?

Lisa K

@JodieDownUnder love the rainbow, great way to start the New Year!

For me a bit of a rollercoaster, I wrote earlier this year that I retired and loving it.

One of the benefits I also noted, was spending more time with my dad. Lately I have been spending even more time with him. This winter has been hard on him, he does not do well with the cold and being stuck inside. So, I have been spending even more time with him helping with his meals and getting ready for bed. I am hoping that as we head to spring it will warm up so he will be able to get outside more which is usually good for him.

But I am so looking forward to 2022 and all that it brings!

Torey

Happy New Year, Jodie. What a lovely way to wake up.

A question. Do you celebrate Boxing Day in Australia as part of the Christmas holidays?

Monek Marie

@JodieDownUnder Beautiful photo and lovey perspective. I hope you new year is filled with adventure.

@Lisa K Retirement can be an adjustment, so I have been told ;) Enjoy your time with your dad. I understand a parent trying to deal with cold weather. A new year always brings on new possibilities.

My year was emotional with family but it also made me look at things and life differently. I want more travel and adventure daily in my life and the time I have with mom to be new experiences. I have new and bigger gardening plans so I am looking forward to that

JodieDownUnder

@torey yes Boxing Day is a part of the Xmas celebration. Actually this year because Xmas fell on a Saturday & Boxing on Sunday, the following Mon, Tues & Wed were public holidays! Apparently Australia has the most public holidays. When we were in business, we would work all the public holidays because of wages. Now we get to enjoy them with family & friends.

LaurieLovesLearning

Wow, @JodieDownUnder That's a lot of holidays!

Your picture is beautiful and one of hope.

My year has been tough for a myriad of reasons and yet I can see personal growth. I think difficulties refine character and they are necessary to build resilience. But even knowing that, it's not like I enjoy my refining & resilience building moments much at all in the moment. 😐 Unfortunately, I'm sure that my "special" moments are far from over and there's more "building" to come in the new year. Hopefully the lessons are not as hard to work through. I can always hope.

I keep learning more about people every day. The good & the bad. Learning about people & how to most effectively interact with others is never ending. I have also built upon a few existing friendships, strengthening them, and have enjoyed starting a few more.

I have learned a lot about myself as well and some of what has made me who I am today. Hopefully some of this knowledge helps me make positive changes.

Last year gave me new opportunities to try new things that stretch me beyond my comfort zone. I am thankful for those as well and look forward to...moving forward.

We ended the year with a snowfall that gives promise for our coming spring. We will start off with moisture which we really haven't had for a few years. I have also been told that I have seeds waiting for me in our mailbox. :)

JodieDownUnder

@LaurieLovesLearning I think resilience & character building “events” are not noticed until reflection. “ why is the universe teaching me this” & then the penny drops!

I’m glad that a good snowfall means increased moisture when it warms up, thats something to look forward to. We’ve had our wettest year since we moved to our new place. 2365mm or 94.6 inches!! Our average here is about 55inches, so close to double. We have to be careful where we mow/slash or drive but its green & lush & thats good for the soul. Go grab your seeds & start planning for a great spring.

Michelle D

@JodieDownUnder I'm grateful for the positive attitude that you are always expressing it. It is very inspiring!

I'm glad to hear that so many people have ways to be glad for their experiences in 2021.

For me it was a year of many ups and down, lots of learning experiences, and, fortunately, a good amount of progress. I'm looking forward to continuing to grow in the new year.

jowitt.europe

@JodieDownUnder what a lovely place! And a rainbow on top! You are happy. And your happy reflections! This is how a new year should start!

me too! I am very happy about 2021. We learned from the previous year to enjoy life when an opportunity comes and we did grasp every possible opportunity to travel, visit beautiful places, spend as much time as possible with grandchildren and children and friends. And we enjoy that much more, because we know now, that this does not come for granted. You have to take it when you get the possibility. Well, the garden was a bit neglected, but never mind. I will catch up during the next lockdown 😉. So there are positive things about lockdown as well.

SuperC

Thanks for sharing this greenery photo. Wow! To all of the flora! @JodieDownUnder Here it is 6*F and quite cold. New Years day was -14*F yet here in the frozen tundra we keepmovingforward with resilience, kindness, and help others in need. I stopped the truck to help an elder in an electric-wheelchair stuck in a snowdrift. I asked if I could help, he agreed, so I pushed to free him, success! A second truck had stopped also.

2021 had great moments as well as difficult ones, my dad while in recovery from a hip replacement there had been a food particle stuck in an airway that caused aspirational pneumonia that led to cardiac arrest. He was without oxygen for twenty-seven minutes yet a faint pulse after cpr. Doctors kept him alive on ventilator yet the family released his suffering. He’s with us daily. He was 76. However, my grandma turned 100 years in March and we had a party for her at her church!

Onward to 2022 with prosperity, happiness, joy, love, laughter, memories and cheerfulness. I’ll keep learning from all of the people who surround me with their insight and knowledge about so many opportunities! And, to The Grow Network, thank you as we continue together, our community of learning!