A Look Back on My 2021

2021 is coming to a close, and it is definitely another one for the record books. A year ago, Rich and I celebrated the new year on the 10th night in our home. We were surrounded by unpacked boxes. We had left our home of almost 20 years and had moved to one of the worst Covid hotspots in the country. I was excited for what the year might bring, and also a little terrified of what we were trying to do.

It was a year of adventure, growth, mourning, discovery, faith, love, and joy. We sat with wolves. We sold a business. We started two new ones. We started connecting with my younger siblings. We reconnected with a couple of old friends and made a couple of

new ones. We took big leaps, and we learned to trust ourselves and each other.

I left behind the very thing that had directed my life for almost 20 years when we sold the dojang. I miss it so much. I miss the consistency of the schedule. I miss connecting with my team on and off the mat. I miss teaching. I miss hearing from the kids how their day went. I miss hearing from parents how they are doing with all the challenges of raising their kids ... and then reminding them what a remarkable job they are doing and how wonderfully their kids have grown. I had consciously built a community there that was inclusive, courageous, and dedicated to improving lives. It was as much for my sake as for the sake of students. It was my tribe.

I also lost my grandmother this year. She was 96. It was hard watching her fade last fall, especially knowing I couldn't go say goodbye in person. Her funeral service was on zoom, but it was remarkably beautiful. We took turns telling stories, and what wonderful stories they were! In honor of her, I reread Little Women and learned to bake date nut bread.

Life this past year has been slower and more relaxed than I can remember any prior year being. I finally know what it feels like not to wake up tired. I have had time and space for my body to make major strides in healing from the car accident 5 years ago. We have a routine that includes hard work and good play almost every day.

We've accomplished a lot this year, and we have much to be grateful for. I think it's important to look back at the end of the year.

Right now most of us are focused on the coming year. We are setting intentions, creating vision boards and mission maps, getting really clear on our goals. I am actually heading to do those things as soon as I'm done with this post.

What I think a lot of us miss at this time of year is the chance to celebrate what we have already accomplished. How did we get to today? What can we be proud of? What are we thankful for? What do we want more of in the new year, and what do we want to stop? What needs to be grieved or released in order for us to move forward? What needs to be cared for as we strive for the next level? We need to feel what wants to be felt - whatever it may feel like. It is worth the time to stop and breathe - to celebrate, to mourn, to take stock of the moments that mattered.

And then, after wrapping up your current year, greet the new year with open arms, a ready heart, and the excitement that comes when new things start.

As we embrace the close of the year that is passing, I hope that the new year brings you joy, peace, compassion, and understanding. May you find the patience you need with yourself and others. May you find the courage to feel your highs and lows without judgment and without the need to hurry through to the next thing. May you have the opportunity to serve others and contribute to your community in a meaningful way.

May 2022 be the year that brings us all closer to the memory that we are truly interconnected, and that the concept of being co-creators in life is predicated on the understanding that what is best for one must always also be best for all and for our planet.

Happy New Year!