Many of my friends and colleagues today are writing down their new year’s resolutions, but I decided to do something a little different. Today I will write down the biggest lessons I learned in 2008. I plan to take these lessons with me into 2009 and make better decisions (or at least not make the same mistakes).
Lesson 1 – Never lose sight of what really matters
It is very easy to lose sight of what really matters to us because of everyday demands. I was guilty of this in 2008 and didn’t realize it until the year almost ended.
In 2007 I was practicing corporate communications for a well-known company based out of London when I decided to move to Washington, DC to further my education. However, I got caught up working harder for others, drama, and putting everyone’s needs before my own that I didn’t take a single class towards a Master’s degree. It wasn’t until I found myself thousands of miles away from my family, a year older, 15 pounds lighter (not necessary bad) and a breast cup smaller (bad), feeling lost and depressed that I realized I had lost sight of what really mattered to me: my family and my education.
Fortunately I realized this and quickly started taking small steps to get back on the path I had laid out in 2007. Change can be scary, but not as scary as living a life without passion and a feeling of self-fulfillment.
Lesson 2 – The meaning of a true partnership
I realize that this can mean different things to people so it’s ok to disagree with me. I’m just ecstatic that I found a definition that works me because before relationships to me were about give or take all – and history has proven that didn’t work out too well, he he.
For me a true partnership:
- is not a competition; one uses each other’s strengths to balance out their weaknesses to build a stronger unit and create something together.
- one is strong when the other is weak
- you look out for each other and for their best interest
- shares failures as well as success
I learned that in a true partnership two people come together and use their strengths to balance the other person
Lesson 3 – There is strength in prayer
I always heard people say they were praying about, or recommending others to pray, and I always wondered why? Now I know why.
On a less serious note I also learned:
- Bus drivers always expect exact fare.
- If you live in DC you need to have two pairs of shows on you at all times. Your walking pair and the shoes you will wear at work.
- In DC one should have at least three umbrellas. Keep one umbrella at work, one at home and one in your purse or laptop bag.
- Never tell your priest that the Pope reminded you of Yoda.
- Liquor before beer or beer before liquor makes no difference you will still regret it the next day.
- When all your friends don’t like your date or say you “look better without him/her” then you should listen.
- You will grow up and start sounding just like your mother!
I hope everyone has a safe and fun evening, and the best for 2009.
Happy New Year!!
