This is question #13 of the Year End Countdown Challenge held in Dec 2012, where we count down to the new year with 13 reflective questions. The challenge is now over but you can do the tasks in your own time. Visit the overview page for all the challenge tasks.
Welcome, welcome, and welcome to the 2013 Countdown Challenge! I’m Celes and I’m your host for this challenge. Thank you for reading this and being on board with me! :D140 180 official participants (and counting). So why can’t you join us in this wonderful end-of-year reflection and 2013 countdown?I look forward to seeing you sign up. :D Again, sign up here:
https://personalexcellence.co/blog/2013countdown-challenge/#signup
Welcome, welcome, and welcome to the 2013 Countdown Challenge! I’m Celes and I’m your host for this challenge. Thank you for reading this and being on board with me! :DHave You Signed Up Yet?
Just because you are reading this or receiving this email does NOT mean you are signed up for the challenge. You have to officially sign up by way of the three steps here: https://personalexcellence.co/blog/2013countdown-challenge/#signupWhy sign up? I know from past challenges that some “participants” do not sign up. Instead, they observe the challenge by the wayside, skim through the daily tasks (since they are on the newsletter), pick the ones they feel like reading, and jump in to post their comments when they feel like it.I can understand such behavior, but I don’t feel it’s good participation etiquette. I always feel if you want to do something, you commit yourself all the way. That’s what I do, and that is why I consistently get great results for what I do. If I do something, I commit myself 100%. If I decide not to do it, I will not do it. As simple as that.Wishy-washy, half-baked efforts will give you wishy-washy, half-baked results. Full commitment will get you to where you want to be. Pledge yourself for this 13-day countdown challenge and commit yourself to the 13 questions that are coming up. I’ve already committed myself to being in this challenge with you in the next 13 days, and so have over13 Days of Countdown, Starting Today! (Dec 19)
For the next 13 days, starting today (Dec 19), I will be posting one question a day pertaining the year of 2012 and how it has been for you. Your role is to reflect on this question each day and post your answers within the day itself.To mimic the countdown fashion, I will be posting each day’s question with a number. The first question will be numbered “13”. The second will be numbered “12”, and so on and so forth.. all the way till we reach “1” (Dec 31) and finally “0” (the final roundup day of the challenge).If you don’t know what I’m saying, no worries. Just reflect on and post your answers to the question I post each day. You’ll know what I’m saying soon enough! :DPlease Sign Up First Before You Proceed
Once again, please sign up at https://personalexcellence.co/blog/2013countdown-challenge/#signup before you proceed to the first question. Sign ups are 100% free. Signing up is something you do for yourself and also to the community as your pledge of commitment will spur others to commit themselves to this wonderful initiative too!2013 Countdown, Starting with Question #13…
The first question of the 2013 Countdown Challenge is:How has your year of 2012 been?
Your Task
- Reflect and answer today’s question. There’s no word limit – whether minimum or maximum. Write as few or as many words as you want. It’s all up to what you want to express!
- Share your answer. After you are done writing, copy and paste your answer in the comments area and post it there.
- Check out other participants’ answers. Other participants will be sharing their answers too, so feel free to read and reply to their answers. This is a community challenge, so let’s support each other in these 13 days leading up to the new year! :)
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My year of 2012 has, in general, been a mix of sadness and beauty. I’ll summarize my experiences from each month of 2012.
January – I started the year fully conscious I wanted to start a new year. I was aware that I wanted my first second to be happy ones. Just then I was utterly heartbroken when the first words I hear instead is my older brother saying “Get away from the window. There might be people shooting.” I wasn’t even beside the window. Obviously this caused a sense of sadness in me. I said “It’s new year. Why be so negative?” He said “Pss I don’t care”. It was but the start of my endless year of me being cold to my family and not opening up my heart out of fear of being rejected. I remember my girlfriend congratulated me too but we weren’t in that good of terms back then.
January was the month in which I first hugged, kissed and made out with a person I loved and the first time I felt the heartbreaking feelings of jealousy, confusion and despair. It was also the first time I forced myself to go to school– even if I was brutally sick to give a birthday present to my girlfriend.
February – February marked valentine’s day. I remember I lost my virginity in February 10 and by February 14 I was confessing I had fallen in love with my girlfriend. She rejected me and it hurt me as it made me feel like I was only used for s*x. At the time she had both me (which she called a friends with benefits) and her real boyfriend. I spent a good amount of time making a cupcake for her but when I gave it to her I noticed she used the cupcake I made with MY feelings to french kiss her boyfriend with the cupcake. She did it right beside me. It had been some hours after she rejected me. It hurt like hell…but her valentine’s card said she wished I smiled and had a fun day so I smiled. I had fun on my own.
On the good side it was the first valentine I got tons of gifts from my friends. My girlfriend gave me one, so did my friend and so did my mom and my other friend who gave me a friendship ring.
After valentine’s day it was the 2nd year anniversary of my girlfriend(friends with benefits) at the time and her boyfriend. She was harsh. She kept doing kind things and kissing me but at the same time she hid me. She only did things in public with her boyfriend..in my face..and yet she didn’t kiss me in his face.
It was the first time in my life I had disrespected myself in such a way. I was the lowest but at the same time I had a feeling she would choose me in the end.
March – I barely have memories of this month. I recall me and her going on and off but never leaving each other. Some days we kissed. Others we didn’t. Our motto had become to kiss at least once a day in the bathrooms. She was sometimes close to him. Other times she wasn’t.
April – April arrived and I recall that as soon as April 1 hit– almost as magic my relationship with her improved but then at the ends of April I doubted. I think I have to thanks the PPAA test (important test in my island) which offered me and her a chance to be in class with nobody interrupting us. Our classmate was temporarily in another group due to the PPAA tests. To be honest..at that time…I had lost all my hope..all my faith..during the morning hours it was just her and me…but during the late hours…her boyfriend appeared.
She was seeming to not be in problems with him any longer. There were many times that week..that I recall she did not kiss me. If I recall I saw her saying “Luv you” to him in one of the times they were saying bye. To us our ritual of one kiss per day meant so much..I felt like my body no longer had a soul.
May- A week after the PPAA tests ended. I recall me and my girlfriend were super good one day and super bad the next and super good again the next day. To be honest I was utterly in love with her at this point. I noticed a change in her attitude..in the atmosphere. I don’t recall how I knew..but that day I went home crying because somehow I knew “tomorrow she’ll leave me for good and return once more with her boyfriend. Between me and him I know she will choose her rich and perfect boyfriend and not me who is unpurfect, poor and ugly. I can’t make her smile. I’m not funny. It’s over.”
The next day I was right. I remember as soon as I saw her and her guy best friend they were talking about how this couldn’t go on any longer and how she had to end this. Then she looks at me and says ” J*..there’s something I have to tell you…” I looked at her seriously and said “What?” She said “You might not believe this but I was thinking of breaking up with D*” (D was her boyfriend) To my guilt I felt happy and even had to hold back from smiling but I couldn’t believe it. It was like a dream come true. Never would I had expected her to say that since I always thought that no matter what she always saw him as his future. We talked that day and I understood she was never truly happy with him. He was mean when nobody was around.
Somehow the news of her wanting to break up with him spread. He found out. They never spoke again. The next day me and her had the most romantic day till date. I knew she was hurt and finding comfort in me from the break up and when the break up was official I don’t know who controlled my body but I just hugged her for long minutes. None of us saying a word but somehow it felt like a hug of relief saying “It’s ok. it’s finally over. We can be together now.”
fast forward the weekend I asked what was her and me. She said “friends with benefits”. I was about to leave her for good and the only thing that saved us was when she said “but don’t get me wrong..I love you with all my heart” and for the first time I said I loved her”
After that school ended. I had no internet so I had to walk each day to a fast food beside my home to steal some internet. We saw each other for the last time in a friend reunion at May 28. We didn’t kiss as we weren’t yet fully aware this would be our last time physically seeing each other in years.
Soon after school ended I met up with a friend. Let’s call him JP. I remember feeling I should be with him instead with her. I told her about this. She explained I was just confused with my past crush.
June – Come June I am free and signed up for summer camp. That summer camp changed my life. I got over my self which thought “I have no friends” and instead saw everybody as a friend. Even total strangers were friends to me. Every member of the summer camp was a close friend to me. I celebrated 6 month anniversary with my girlfriend but she didn’t seem pleased. It was also around the end of Junes that my girlfriend asked to be in a relationship on Facebook. I thought she meant playfully but without me realizing she was asking to be my girlfriend. It was a dream come true cause I had always wanted to have her in relationship in Facebook and now it was a reality. At that time my sister found her first job. It was a time with many changes in my life. It felt evolving. Ironically..the people I saw as close friends..didn’t see me in that way… oh yeah and my internet arrived again.
July – July..my 17th birthday. I recall being slightly hurt that day. My girlfriend wished me happy birthday via a private message and my best friend didn’t even wished me a happy birthday– at all. I forgived my girlfriend since back at her birthday on January I wished her happy birthday via private message as well. Somewhere in July I recall telling my girlfriend we were “more than friends but not quite lovers” Quickly after that she made it clear I was in fact her girlfriend. At the ends of July she traveled all over my island. She didn’t say why but I knew it was because her family would soon move away to Florida.
Another factor that impacted my July was the sudden news of my sister being pregnant. I would be an aunt and she would be a mother. My reality was slowly changing.
August – 2 days before my classes started my girlfriend moved to Florida. I cried that day feeling that huge change of moving countries. Classes started. I was devastated. I missed her presence at school, kept thinking ‘How would she react with this teachers? If she were here she would had hugged me when I was cold.” I missed her. I thought there was nothing left to move on. She had no internet when she first moved so our only communication were occasional phone calls for like 2 weeks.
At that time in which we exchanged phone calls..I met another girl..which insisted I left my girlfriend in another country and tried it out with her. I doubted and asked my girlfriend about it. She never said a comment about it but I’m sure she was against it. I made that clear to the girl and moved on.
September – I don’t recall much this month except the norm. I was getting to know my friends. Ever since August started I had become a total tomboy and hanged out with only guys. Come to think about it I remember I had yet another encounter with another friend in which he wanted me to leave my girlfriend for him. This time it was C. One day he wanted to come to school and touch my private parts. I left early that day– never saw him that day. Thankfully her never touched me. Never replied to him on facebook ever again. I did not want to know about him ever.
October – I had opened up at school and become a social person. The absence of my girlfriend had positive effects on me. My friends at school had become close friends. I was happy and excited to go to school each day. I had learned that even though I thought ‘ I can’t’ something in my interior had told me since May that I should stay and that I would make it. If I had to stay in the same school which caused me to suffer so much it’s because God or Fate had a purpose for me there and I was right :’).
Sadly..this marked the month yet another friend..let’s call him JO forced me to let him bite my ear and grab my br****s. I was slightly violated since I did not want him to grab them. He had blackmailed me, forced me against my will to let him grab my b*. The first time it was against my will and the second I allowed him on purpose because I was confused. I was so shocked at the event that I told my girlfriend that same day what was going on. She was shocked and pissed off at this boy..that boy used to be her friend. I made it final to him to never touch me again but we kept being friends. At Halloween my life changed because it was the start of the kindness challenge and my blog. :)
November – Arrive November I started posting daily my results of the kindness challenge in my blog. I did acts of kindness I’d never done before. It broadened my view. I was interviewed in the newspaper and as soon as soon as the kindness challenge ended I kept on posting Spanish articles on the newspaper in Saturdays and weekly blog posts. There was a point in which JO misinterpreted something I said and tried looking for me again. I rushed and told my girlfriend. She insulted him and he never spoke to me again.
Also..at some other point I ended up hurting my girlfriend. I told her that I didn’t feel loved by her. That other people treated me better than she ever had. It hurt her but eventually it faded away into one of our many awkward discussions.
December – December 1– first time I went to a concert in my life. The first 2 weeks I didn’t have time to write articles weekly for my blog due to the heavy school schedule but I was able to post for the newspaper as usual. Last weekend I participated in a 3 day spiritual retreat. It was an awakening for me and allowed me to receive my faith in God back and gulp my pride. Ever since I came out of the spiritual retreat I’ve opened my heart and seen my family with love and not with hate. I’m still in this process though. Today (December 19) happened to be me and my girlfriends 1 year anniversary. We celebrated together via chat. Yesterday marked the fist day my girlfriend called me “her beautiful wife”. All is good and I feel happy. :)
So yeah in general my 2012 was a year in which I did lower my self as a person but somehow that became something positive because I knew I could trust her and that she was confused. it was a year which was mostly surrounded with thoughts of my girlfriend. It’s true that I should be more independent from now on. it was a year with many first times and I regret not participating in the early challenges in Personal Excellence.
It was a year with many feelings of confusion and suppuration. I was able to make friends, open my heart to my family, be coached, have a girlfriend which is worth it, be an aunt, open my blog go to places I had never gone before..(bowling, old towns, concert, towns in Puerto Rico, acts of kindness, etc.) in the end it was the year with more growth up till date. I wished to have many firsts and that’s how it went. :)
Loss touch of time for this year, things are moving so fast that I don’t quite recall what I’ve done or experienced this year.
One happy news is that my wife is pregnant with my third kid :) unplanned for, but a welcome gift as I always thought that 1 child is lonely, 2 child will fight, 3 is just nice.
Got some nice contact to do investment with good return, so far so good, hope that it’ll stay true
Acquire our first commercial investment property, slight negative cash-flow with slight capital appreciation.. overall neutral. Looking for price to go up either in rent or selling price.
Another investment in multilevel marketing failed badly. The concept is great and people are nice, the challenge that I faced is that I can’t get around the idea that success rate is low – both in term of products and people.
Career wise, busy as usual. Not knowing why I’m that busy making money for the company. I don’t quite align with the project, as I find it extremely biased and unfair. As a service provider, we’ve just signed ourselves to IX years of frustration.
Social/Friends wise, have catch up with some old colleague, friends. Looking towards to have more of such catch up session.
Spiritual or self improvement front. I stumble upon PE site and here I’m. Signed up 30DLBL, blogging course and now this 13 day challenge. Still learning, yet to find my passion and reasons for this life.
Summing up, I’m fine in family/social. and I’m lost doing things that I don’t quite like.
It’s been supremely awesome and one hell of a rollercoaster ride! I finished school, joined college, embarked on a journey I never thought would, made friends with people I never thought I would, learnt a lot of things, experienced so many firsts, found love, learnt to live alone, and am basically living it up!
I gave my 12th board exams earlier this year, in February, and a lot of entrance exams. The tension at my place was so thick you could cut it with a knife. My parents never thought i would get into a college. I wanted to do journalism, they wanted me to do engineering. I ultimately ended up getting a 9.8 cgpa (on a scale of 10) and am now studying business in one of the best colleges in the country.. so i suppose all’s well that ends well..
I moved out of home to join college, and from having a lovely room and bathroom all to myself, I am sharing a room with 3 other girls and a bathroom with the whole wing, but I’m not complaining! It’s really awesome living with other people too, and I’m learning to adjust, cooperate and have transformed quite a bit from the whiny, spoilt brat I was at home :D
I now have an amazing boyfriend in college (my first!) and I’m so incredibly grateful I found him. I can’t think of a time I was happier than this. :)
I turned 18 earlier this month, and am officially a mature, respectable (cough cough) adult :D
So all in all, its been a great year!
My 2012 started off as normal as the other years, may be even more stressed out due to HSC coming right up.
However, I experienced things I never thought I would be. I went through the first ever breakdown of my 18 year long life, because I could not cope with the overwhelming workload from school as well as from TAFE and Saturday school. But thanks to all the unconditional love and support I received from my dear friends and family, I was able to get back on my feet so quickly and readily. That was when I learned that there are actually people who care about me and stopped being negative about myself. For the past twelve years of schooling, I was the most organised this year, did the most revision and practice for exams, as well as stayed up studying for the longest hours. Even though I did bludge a lot while supposed to be dedicating those hours to study, I am actually very happy and proud of myself today, because I just found out that my ATAR is over 90!
Enough of the schoolies, after HSC I tried to hard to get a job but found no luck. So I decided to head off to Adelaide with my grandmother, since she offered to pay for my tickets and everything. There, I had to ”endure” one whole week eating vegetarian food, just to find out how amazing it tasted (It was actually as delicious as normal food, and we cannot even tell the difference!). There, I endured the first two days being a loner wandering around the temple, just to meet AMAZING bunch of people, whom I am still in contact right now and they will be staying at my house in Sydney for five days over the New Years holiday. There, I endured the insipid shopping and sight-seeing sessions with my grandmother and the monks, just to be taken to the beaches where there were hardly any waves! I just absolutely, amazingly, speechlessly, loved it! I will definitely come back to Ady just to do a beach tour!
Then all the hard work in looking for a job was finally paid off since I got myself a promoter position at a company! Following up, I successfully passed two rounds of formal interviews at a proper marketing company! I was SO excited and could not wait to start working! Right after we finished our Product Training day, I was SO shocked! Why? I received a call! From who? From the Board of Studies!!! “I am calling you today to inform you that you have come first in the state!” OH-MY-GOODNESS! I actually thought I was dreaming at that exact moment! Then I was invited to a very formal ceremony where I got to meet the Minister of Education, which was pretty awesome! My family was VERY proud of me, which is good. Then at the school BBQ where the teachers and us students celebrated our achievements, I was able to catch up with my school mates and the office lady even asked me, to take a photograph of, me, for the school newsletters and local newspapers! Jeez, I have never felt so important and valued!
One more thing, when I started this Sales job, I was able to get out of my comfort zone and gradually build the confidence I need, how to approach people and just be always positive and know what I am talking about. Here, I have met the most inspirational woman I have ever met. She is my team leader, even though she only started the job about a week before I did. She does an absolutely wonderful job, keeps hitting her KPIs, got advanced to team leadership in just 8 days, and most importantly I never found her without a smile on her face! I am actually on my third day now, and I keep beating my Personal Best under her guidance, so I am VERY proud and happy for myself! I will just keep on learning and improving and gaining all the skills, so that I can be like her one day!
More or less, 2012 has been such an AMAZING year for me! I have learned so much, felt so much and met so many definitely experienced as much! We’ve just gotta enjoy the year till its last day and till our hearts content!
2012 has been a year of personal growth and development for me. Full of new experiences and changes, a roller-coaster in my personal and professional life…
I have met a lot of new great friends that share my same outlook in life and passion. I end the year knowing myself better and really grateful for who I am, what I have, the experiences I have encountered and the people that are in my life.
I am much happier and content, full of energy to affront the New Year, bring it on!
2012 was a year of huge changes. A friend told me in December of 2011 that my horiscope predicted a fabulous 2012 for me and other Aries. It was in many ways and I believe I chose for it to be the best it could be. I went into the New Year with a new relationship and he has proven to be very supportive and loving during this year of change and growth fore me. I started a journey of personal growth in April. After having my house on the market for 3 years, it finally sold and I downsized to a new place. The sale of my home of 13 years and the place where I raised my children was more emotional than I had expected. I got through it to be hit by the death of my father. I thought I was prepared for this, but learned you can never be prepared for the death of a loved one. My mother then moved out of state to live with my sister. I found myself alone. I made the decision to make a family of friends that are like minded. This was proving to be more difficult than expected until I went to another personal growth seminar with the same company. Wow! I had an instant family of like minded friends! This seminar kicked my journey of personal growth into fast forward. My perspective on life and my future in once again one of hope. I wondered over the past 4 years if I would ever feel hopefuly about life. 2012 has been a Great Year because I made it so.
2012 has been a year full of trials, lots of challenges ! But with a mind-set that you want to do something, you will definetely achieve it!I did not have a mind fully set on what I wanted to do, so I won some challenges, I run away from others or I couldn’t stand them, or simply postpone them: PROCRASTINATION.
The most happiest thing about 2012 is that I got to know about PE! I am not flattering. PE has helped me a lot in discovering my potentials, focusing on goals with the bucket’s list, dealing with procrastination. And now I surprise myself encouraging others, and advicing them, talk to them express myself. I am now living a happier life than before. It’s just recently that I found out about PE, but, it has taught me a lot.
So for me 2012 has been, and as it is not yet over, IS great for me! :dance:
Love you all.
Olivier N’diatchi
:dance:
My year has been about acceptance and consolidation. Sounds a bit worthy, but what I mean is this. In February 2012 I was retired from work on ill health grounds which was a big blow to my already fragile self esteem and, of course, hugely worrying from a financial point of view. I am only in my late fifties. This year therefore, for me, has been about actively letting go some of the shame I feel around not working, and about actively looking after myself, health-wise.
My main lesson in all this though, is to not take myself so seriously and I want to enjoy each and every day exactly as it is – I will make other goals again when I’m ready, but I’m still working on being happy enough with life and with me right now, exactly at this moment, exactly as I am.
This year has been overwhelmingly good. I started dating V, and its been delightful! My new house is a work in progress, but I OWN it. Not outright, but its a landing place, a home base for my family. I took a risk on joining a startup, and so far, it’s working out: I’m learning a lot, and I’ve made huge strides with my understanding about business, and professionalism, and my place in the industry. I can only hope that the money will follow. My daughter came home with the baby, so I get to enjoy him too. My children are all growing up to be wonderful, conscientious people.
I’ve felt blessed and grateful every day.
This year has been one of the best years of my life. That’s not to say there isn’t so much more I wish I did or could improve on, but I can finally say I feel like I’m getting somewhere and it’s a beautiful feeling to have.
I not only met my best friend in person after knowing him for three years, but also a bunch of new friends in my fall semester at college. I’ve even kept contact or reconnected with my old friends as well. I love my best friend, he’s helped me through so much and continues to be there for me even if I find myself stumbling over the same things repeatedly. The friends I’ve met this year I’m so grateful for, because they’ve really helped me question what I believed to be “right” in the best way possible, and have helped me move in the direction of becoming the type of person I want to be. As for my “old” friends who continue to be there for me as well, I am forever grateful for their constant love and support.
This is the first time in my life where I genuinely feel “safe,” knowing that the people in my life right now actually want me in their’s, too. I still get afraid that I am unwanted, that I am bothering them or trying to be around them too much, but time and time again they assure me, time and time again they show that they are my friend and no one sees me as a bother. Slowly, I am beginning to have confidence in myself and in my interactions with others.
I cannot express enough how grateful I am for what I am learning through new friends and experiences and the opportunities I’ve had to grow. I’m learning lessons I didn’t expect, am having experiences I never would’ve considered previously, and getting to know the type of people I thought were beyond me to meet. Most of this has happened serendipitously, but I believe that this is all happening for a reason, that I am getting this lucky because I’m finally ready for it.
I’m so excited by all the opportunities that this is all affording me. I am still afraid for the future, mainly I’m afraid that I may not be able to support myself or my loved ones, that I may not have enough to offer to the world. But if this year has taught me anything, it’s that anything can happen, and somehow, things always work out. I’m learning to be stronger, and I know I have a long way to go, but I’m glad that I’ve built up such good momentum as 2013 approaches.
When I think about how I feel at this very moment, I would have to say 2012 has been a complacent year for me. But when I actually lay and think about it, 2012 has actually been pretty good to me. I took an amazing trip to Costa Rica with someone I love more than words can describe. I spent a fabulous amount of time in NY and spent some quality time with my grandmother and my even now more favorite aunt and have decided to move there. My mother graduated from Nursing school and I couldn’t be more proud of her! She’s shown me such strength and determination and I know that no matter what you want, you can get it if you work hard and focus.
I don’t think I put enough emphasis and regard toward my family since I travel so much, but recent events have made me realize that you don’t necessarily have tomorrow. You have to enjoy the people who are important to you today while you still can. I love the relationship my bff has with her family. They are so close and they enjoy spending time together even if its to play bingo or watch a tv show together. That being said, I have also decided to try and cultivate a relationship with my father who has been absent from my life growing up. We’ll see how that turns out.
I have however put myself in a compromising relationship and I don’t know if I will ever be able to remove myself from it. I’ve read people say they’ve removed themselves from abusive and unhealthy relationships, but what do you do when you’re in an awesome situation, with someone who treats you exactly how you want to be treated, but won’t give you commitment? How do you walk away? I think this has been my biggest dilemma of 2012. I can’t shake this man no matter how hard I try and truth is, I don’t want to, even though ultimately, I know I’ll probably end up hurt. Who knows, maybe my answer will come in 2013.
I have also felt extremely complacent in my career. I am so ready for a change, but I think I may be afraid of what that change will bring. I know without change there is no progress, but it’s such a scary thing!! So as of this moment in 2012, I am enjoying what life is throwing my way and I will embrace 2013 with an open mind and an open heart.
It is the year of discovery and finding the meaning. It has been adventures and finding a new path. The year of challenging myself again.
2012 has been a great year. I became self employed and started running harder on my life leadership business. Have a great supportive family. Reached a few goals missed many of them. But still setting them. Many thing to work for next year.
First- thank you Celes, for this insightful question. I know this year has been great, but as I reflected deeper, I realize this year has been fantastic- I’ve achieved almost all my goals! Thank you to God and all the lovely people who made it possible!
Main milestone- I joined grad school, where I got to work with a wonderful professor and meet some amazing mentors. Despite the break in my studies, I managed to do quite well and recently also win an outstanding TA award.
My husband got his promotion and a substantial salary hike- something that had been tantalizingly out of reach despite his hard work and efforts.
We always wanted to travel- somehow we kept getting these amazing deals that allowed us to travel to Yellowstone, New Hampshire (in winter), and many other beautiful places- we practically toured the entire east coast!
Yet more importantly, by facing some disasters in my close relationships, I have realized that I am true survivor, and I can draw into an inner strength that I knew not existed. I always expected my parents/husband to be the Rock of Gibraltar and pillar of support of my life- lately I have been pleasantly surprised and blessed to find that I too can be the same to others.
I had a great year. Moved into my own comfortable place into a great neighborhood with great neighbors. I am still enjoyiing most of the days at work and am working with a great team. Seen patients grow and no longer need our support. This year has really blessed me.
My 2012… well, stagnant maybe describes it. Or still. Not much movement in the exterior of my life, but lots of shifting internally. I’m hoping that next year will bring some changes that will reflect the interior shift in my outer world as well. Have to remember to keep working on personal excellence in order to bring some dreams to fruition!
My 2012 has been exciting, challenging, sad, happy, fulfilling, and rewarding. I must start with thanksgiving to God for an awesome year.
I was able to retire this year from corporate America and devote more time to my coaching practice.
I lost my dear Mom this year but I am thankful that she is at home with the Lord, free from pain and suffering. I know that all things work for my good according to Romans 8:28.
We (my husband and I) were able to sell 2 homes in a matter of 3 months which enables us to relocate to another state which is closer to my family.
I started an Internet radio show this month.
I committed to my health by signing up for a fitness boot camp to start on January 3rd.
I committed to taking my business to the next level by hiring a marketing coach.
This has definitely been a year of hills and valley’s. Finances were in the valley! I ended a relationship(It needed to happen) I started to meditate more and read more spiritually uplifting books. I started to make some changes with my diet. This has been a great year from a family standpoint. I have enjoyed every minute being a mom this year. They are close to leaving so I made a decision to be grateful for each day that I have with them. My job has been very very very stressful lots of changes in my dept, greater expectations. Rekindled a friendship with someone I had not seen in 30 yrs. All in all because I am able to write this. It has been a good year! :D :D :D
Full of change! I went through a break up and lost a job, gained two new jobs, moved to a new city, renewed and strengthened many relationships with family and friends while leaving a couple behind that weren’t working. I saw more concerts, and went on more hikes and camping trips than in the previous year, went on vacation in Zimbabwe with my sisters, which was amazing. Spent alot of time soul searching and looking toward the future and weighed plans and options. Meditated on past actions and habits, and have seen that it has done me some good. Truly a year of transitions!
St. Louis, MO
6:10 PM
12/19/12
How has my 2012 been? Here are a few highlights:
The biggest change for me this year was that I decided to legally change my first and last name. I visited and received help from http://www.kabalarian.com in this process. I literally have felt my life and my personality change since I began to use my new name, and this is something that makes me very happy.
I turned 39, and have decided that if I am going to be alive for 80 years, I’ve lived half of my life, and it is up to me to make the next 40 years of my life the best that I can have. To do this, I have been on a journey of personal development, actively writing down goals for many areas of my life like relationships, finances, career, health, etc. I am slowly taking baby steps towards these goals.
I started out 2012 unemployed, and getting a job after 9 months of unemployment. I worked for 9 months, and in this job had an experience at a training that I was directing of being told by one of the participants, “This is what you were born to do!” After 9 months at this job, I was laid off due to funding cuts in November.
I have been using my newly found time, in starting my own business. My first business will consist of me delivering professional development for teachers in classroom management. This is the first part of my business, as I hope to add and grow to it in the future.
Overall, 2012 has been a good year, and I’m looking forward to 2013! :D
2012 for me was full of mixed blessings.
– I was laid off from my job. This was the second time I have been laid off in 3 years (two different companies). While this may sound tragic, it made me SO HAPPY! I hated that job and had just been biding my time hoping the company would have another layoff.
– Since being laid off, I have given myself lots of time to really explore things that I like and want to do to bring income in. It has been great exploring different things. I don’t think I really did this intense work before even going to college, and it has been great.
– My daughter started college out of town, leaving me with the dog and 2 cats. It has been lonesome some of the time, but has also allowed me to really get to liking myself again.
– Struggles with my father (who is in a skilled nursing facility) and one of my siblings has been trying…However, within the past week I realized that I can take a different perspective on it and be happy despite the turmoil.
All in all, it has been a very eye-opening year, and I look forward to putting more things in gear next year.
:)
Hi Celes,
This year has proven to be the hardest I have had to live through in my young life. It’s been filled with tests of character, endurance, and faith. I accepted each trial as a vehicle for self-improvement, no matter how tough each one was. I’m just grateful that somehow I still have an optimistic view of things, although I admit that several times giving up was so tempting.
Thanks for allowing me to share!
Peace,
Kaye :angel:
Year 2012 is a mixed year for me in personal and business as now putting up my thoughts before the “foresay” 21st December and end of the world.
I spend 3 months off without working due to broken foot injury, while have spoken in crutches for 2 speaking engagement is funniest thing ever happened during the period. Personally, I have done reflection on goal setting during that 3 months injury, which year 2012 becomes up and down journey of getting things back on track.
New friends are made, old friends are gone, knowing better connection with people that I would love to connect, many lots of in and outs memories. I would be say that more connection possibility enhances the value and relationship that can potentially blossom into future existing adventures.
Dec is most exciting month of the years– as new business model are building up in place, and having my article getting featured in world well known social media portal worldwide makes up the important memory and getting known as international coach for entrepreneurs.
In current business, I have made decision to stop servicing local services to most local clients and have disengaged hiring local workers (this becomes one part of major crucial decision for business to expand in different directions and yet to maintain similar values). Year 2013 will be more of the hindsight of what’s to be more unfolds.
I would thank to Celestine too for giving me guidance on articles and her personal insights which improves my perspective that enhances the result I am getting, express my gratitude to her and PE for valuable contribution to my life.
Hey Elton, thanks so much for your kind words. I would like to thank you for your quiet support of my work and my endeavors. Your support means a lot to me. :)
This past year, it was a rather rough and trying time, spiritually. In this particular year, I have never been so scared for the future than ever. Many members of my family (unfortunately) got involved with a fortune teller who I met when I came back to the states (from living in Canada and then South America for 3 years). As soon as I met said fortune teller, he flat-out told me that my 10 year relationship with my husband was not destined to continue. Now everything this fortune teller ever told me during the course of this year was contradictory to our very relationship. My husband is loyal, honest, responsible, respectful, loving, caring, devoted, romantic, etc! I promise that I couldn’t ask for more in a man! But despite of all this, he proceeded to tell me that we weren’t compatible, that we were never going to have any kids together, EVER. That my husband was going to change; and/or he was going to cheat on me in the near future; and/or we were going to have money issues; and/or that I was going to cheat on him, etc.
Since the beginning, deep in my heart I knew this guy was full of it. But I would see how most of my family members believed in him, I thought I was the one doing wrong for not trusting this fortune teller. He proceeded to give everyone gifts and make promises that certain things were going to happen. Well, in the end, everything he predicted for me for this year came out false (and I pray to God almost everyday that it never comes true). But everything he said destroyed my world as I knew it. It made me doubt everything. Who I am, what I was doing, who was I married to, etc. Everything I knew so well became a horrific world, it scared me into a state of depression. I remember going to do my confirmation (FINALLY) and doing my confession with my priest. Well in that conversation, I told him all about this man and everything he was telling me. My priest then said he was going to ask me three questions. First, if the person telling me all this was a prosperous person, in every aspect of their life? The answer was no. Second, Have I read the bible, in the part where Jesus himself says that not even HE can foresee the future? The answer was no. Third, why couldn’t I see that what the fortune teller was telling me was the very exact thing that you put your heart at risk to when you get in a relationship; isn’t it possible that either one can cheat; that money could be ever be an issue in a relationship, etc? My response: Palm-slap to my forehead. That was the moment that I felt like I finally broke free from my depression and was able to convince my family that it was all a lie, and all the fortune teller wanted to do was harm us, our emotional state, as well as our physical. I still have a battle every now and then with certain things, such as his telling me that I am going to die around the age of 60 in a horrible car accident, etc.
Overall, the year taught me this:
To never believe in anyone other than God first and secondly, myself. Never again allow myself to be so gullible and get hurt in such a stupid manner. That I still have a whole life to live and with whatever happens I have to make the best of it, no matter what. Right now my husband and I are happier than ever, I admire and love him so much for putting up with all that crap and never doubting our relationship for a split-second, as I did. He is definitely my rock and I’ve learned to appreciate that way more than I did in the past. We are in the process of buying a house for the first time ever. We’re excited and anxious and can’t wait for 2013 to bring us everything we’ve been waiting for. Just as I’ve learned to appreciate my husband, I’m also learning to appreciate my parents, for everything they have done and continue to do for us, unconditionally. I have a feeling that with God by my side, 2013 won’t be the only year to be great, it shall proceed into every year after that. :p
2012 has been a pretty great year for me. I was able to take time off (a month in Feb, and a month in August!) to spend with my daughter, and that was a major highlight. She turned 1 in September so much of this year has just been fascinating for me, watching her grow and learning how to be a parent. I am so thankful for her, and for the honor of being her Mama.
Work went well this year also, as I am learning much about the legal world and had many opportunities to learn new things and showcase what I am capable of. I was privledged to be given responsibilities that pushed me to my limits on some days, and I know that I did the best I could during that period. I am thankful for my capabilities and for my professional development.
Communication w my partner was difficult this year, but I think that we are really working together to understand one another better and be aware of each others feelings. I think that together, we are making great strides in our individual personal development (if that makes sense… we are helping each other learn about our own selves as well). I’m so thankful to have him in my Life.
I have been able to spend many nights doing art, and laughing with friends. We have eaten many delicious meals. We have seen many gorgeeeeeouussss days!
This year I have been particularly Happy. It has been a great, great year, although nothing super WILD has happened. I guess I have just come into my own in many ways, and I will continue to do so in 2013. I want to just keep building, building building on the Joy & Happiness I feel, and hopefully share that with others in everything that I do!
The year started out GREAT and it ended even better. I can honestly say that i believe this is my season. I made a couple of educational goals that i would have loved to accomplish, but i have satisfaction in knowing that i am still working at my goals. I have met amazing people this year, and have lost some. I’ve learned a lot over the year….I’ve grown, and i am very happy for the outcome. My 32nd year is hands down my best YET! #Loving2012
Two thousand and twelve…has been an extreme rollercoaster! This year I do believe I have experienced every feeling imaginable. I started and will end the year working as a travel coordinator – started on a TV show; ending on a film. In between I had lots of hi highs and some really lo lows. I met some very cool, new people (all through work) and let go some folk who had been in my world. I started the year pretty excited and enthusiastic about what the year may bring. I’m ending it a little deflated and a bit down. December is tough because in my black/white mindset it is all about some key things: money accumulated, career success/elevation; appearance and accumulation of things. I am ending the year with very little savings. Career wise, while I’ve had a ton of great experiences in 2012, as I stated, I’m ending the year doing the same job I was doing to start the year. Appearance wise, my natural do is pretty awesome but I’m taking quite a few more pounds into 2013 than I did into 2012. So I guess I’ve accumulated weight. I got a few new toys this year…actually just one (got my first flat screen tv this year!). I remember last New Year’s trying my best to get my house in order before the clock struck 12. That didn’t quite happen and I’m in that same position again right now – I want to clean the house, clean my computer/emails, clean my car, clean my body (detox), clean and clear, clean and clear it all. But I don’t have much energy. Thus far in 2012 I have expended an extreme amount of energy and I’m not sure if it was spent in the right places at the right time. I’ve had a series of two steps forward, three steps back. I brought the year in alone (literally in my apartment alone) and that might be the same this year if my mood doesn’t lift. Moody moody girl…
So yes the best way I can describe the year thus far is a rollercoaster: the musical. Why musical? Well first of all, I never met a musical I didn’t love. Oh and in 2012, I fell in love with a tv show based on a musical. And I live in New Orleans afterall so everyday IS a musical :)
My 2012 has been one of great change. It really has been a roller coaster ride for me in a lot of ways this year. A lot of this I am sure we will get into over the next few days, but the long and short of it is that I am now in a situation at 35 that I didn’t plan on or want to be in. I am alone again, but this time recovering from mistakes and heartbreaks. I feel that I am a much stronger person now and have developed a new appreciation for others around me. I have grown in the friendships I have and hopefully have started some new ones that will last for some time.
2012 has been a year of personal discovery for me. Being still in school, I used to follow the crowd and suppressed who I really was. I always tried to fit in and join conversations I knew nothing about.
However, when I went on a summer camp, there was one kid who didn’t force his way into every conversation and was fine with just being on his own. People respected him for that. Now I try to idolize that, and I’ve found that people respect me a lot more than they did. I have no problem walking class to class alone, which portrays a sort of confidence.
I’ve also discovered Two Steps From Hell. They’re a music group who does mainly trailer music. Type “Epic Music” into YouTube to see what I mean. Anyway, their music has become a great source of inspiration for me. I always listen to them and let their fantastical tunes take my mind elsewhere.
I’ve also converted from Catholicism to Buddhism, which means I’ve been doing a lot more meditating recently. I’ve found that this meditation helps me get more in touch with what I want. Recently, I’ve wanted a lot better for people, even my enemies. I don’t think people should have to be sad. Because of this, I’ve been a lot nicer and accommodating.
That’s an amazing change! I know what you mean about trying to fit into groups but finding not that much in common. I’ve also found that it’s best just to be confident on your own. There will be certain people who will appreciate what you have to say. You won’t even have to try super hard to get through to them – it will come naturally :)
And TSFH is great ;) (although I wish their tracks were a bit longer than ~2 minutes!)
For me, 2012 was quite a good year. It wasn’t that special, but I could learn a lot about myself, improving several relationships (especially the one with my boyfriend), and I didn’t have any serious problems. So I could focus on my education and personal growth, which is very great because especially the second one will help my during possible hard times in the future.
But some points have actually been a bit difficult. Many friends around me had difficult problems, like a innocent father in prison, a stalker, break-ups, unemployment, etc. It DID eat quite a lot of my energy and I often felt sad and hopleless around them for not actually being able to help them.
Thankfully, most of those problems got smaller within the last few weeks. Yay!
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