Monday, January 7, 2013

End-of-Year Review

Doing a year-end review is eye-opening. Loads of wonderful things happened in 2012:

The toddler was successfully potty trained.



We took a fun family vacation to Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona for spring break.

My best friend from childhood visited me and we spent a weekend at Snowbird, including a day at the Cliff Spa.


Our family travelled to Chicago for two weeks.



I started running and triathlon training again and competed in my first triathlon after adrenal fatigue.

I painted a lot more and started sharing my art with people on this blog.

My sweet daughter was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.


I ran my first 10K and half marathon.
My parents celebrated 50 years of marriage and I celebrated 19 years of marriage. 

Oh, and I was fired from my job on April 9, 2012.

Of all the things that happened in 2012, getting fired has been the biggest catalyst. 

I haven't written about getting fired because I was so upset and frustrated. I didn't want to write in anger and appear bitter or vindictive. But, I was both of those things for a long time. The crazy thing about getting let go is that it completely minimizes you. In my case I had no warning and was completely blindsided when I had worked so hard to show my employers how much I wanted to help the company succeed. In the end, though, I wasn't enough...and that's what devastated me. 

Now, though, I can look back and see all the beautiful things getting fired taught me. 
  • Getting close to your kids and husband is fulfilling and joyful
  • Nurturing talents feeds your soul in a lasting way 
  • Personal value is deeper than your career or job
  • Meetings are overrated and more often than not—unnecessary
  • Focusing on your blessings and helping others will always help you feel happy

Although I wouldn't wish that on anyone, I am grateful for the lessons I've learned about life, about human nature and about what's really important. I'm ready now and looking forward to the lessons of 2013.

7 comments:

  1. I think I could say the same thing.. I'm looking forward to the lessons of 2013. Cuz I think I keep repeating them over and over and THIS TIME I'm ready to pass them an MOVE on ya know!?

    And OH MY CRAZY SOCKS! I love your paintings! WHAT?? So yummy!

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  2. You know how much I love that whole part about you getting fired, right? Not that you got fired but what you gained from it. (P.S. I'm still bitter for you...)

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  3. Carissa, thank you for sharing. Isn't it funny that sometimes we're meant to keep learning the different elements from the same lesson until we get it? Thank you also for complimenting my paintings.

    Emily, I know how you feel about my getting fired...and I'm glad I have friends like you who can both commiserate and challenge me.

    God bless you both!

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  4. 2012 Was truly a crazy year (in MY opinion). But I am excited for the good things in your life! And as terrible as losing a job is, it propelled you forward! :D

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  5. Thanks Steph! You're right...getting fired can really propel you forward if you let it.

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  6. I'm so glad the good outwighed the bad for you this past year. I'm sorry to hear about your job. However, it sounds like you are really bouncing back from that, so I wish you ALL the best. Keep painting! You are really, really terrific at it.

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  7. A baptism and potty training. Two very exciting things!

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