That Was Fast!

Has anyone else noticed how quickly 2017 flew by? So much happened this year, it feels like a whirlwind!
Recently, I got the idea to write out a list of high points from this year so I could take a moment and appreciate the year's unfolding. This was a great exercise and I highly recommend it. It's easy to be so busy during the year that we don't appreciate life as it's happening. Taking the time to reflect on forgotten moments and all the things we accomplished is a lovely way to show appreciation to ourselves and the world we live in.
As I was writing out my list, I was reminded of some really cool things that I had completely forgotten about. To have the opportunity to bring those things into my awareness and express gratitude for them was a beautiful way to re-experience my year.
Whether you keep a journal or write out your list on a piece of paper, grab your pen and start writing. List out trips, events you attended, books you've read, interesting people you've met or reconnected with, classes you've taken, what you've done for self-care, you get the idea. Things you've done or started in 2017 go onto the list. Realizations, surprises, big things/little things... If you do keep a journal, go back through its pages. 
Once your list feels relatively complete, take some time to reflect on how the year may have ended differently from how you thought it would play out last January. Any surprises? Were there moments that you had forgotten about?
I personally loved this exercise because it showed me how some of my interests intensified, altered, or went in a totally different direction over the course of the year. Equally interesting is that even though I thought the year might proceed in a certain way, the combination of new learning, relationships, and ideas created a year of new possibilities that I really could not imagine back in January. Life is like that, but often I think we get so engrossed in our day to day that we don't step back and take in the bigger, richer picture.
2017 was a fast moving and eventful year in so many ways. Through this exercise, I am hopeful for a robust 2018. I hope the same is true for you. 
Blessings,
Deborah