As the old year winds down and we approach the new, I reflect on the events of the past year (the joyful and the very sad) and leave you with a few ‘best of’s’ (best experience, best books, best tv shows etc.).
About my 2018 Word of the Year: Surrender
Reflecting on this past year, I do think I picked the perfect WOTY (word of the year) for 2018- SURRENDER.
Boy did I have to surrender control of a lot of things this past year! And I learned that ‘forcing’ things will only get you so far, it is when you surrender that the magic happens. You want to move with the energy of life, not struggle against it.
As writer / spiritual leader Byron Katie says; “When you argue against reality you always lose”.
Amen to that sister!
Let the renos begin….
If you have been following my emails for a bit, you might recall that in December 2017 my family, consisting of two adults, two boys, one dog and one bird, packed up our entire house the week before Christmas so the renovation of our 1981 era house could commence, and we moved in with my parents on their five acre farm, one town over.
Can you say chaos?! lol
This major event was followed by a long anticipated family vacation to Maui in February (see pic of me and the boys at Hookipia Beach above), which was to commemorate (in part) my 50th year on the planet. It was a special trip in many ways, and I’m dreaming of those Hawaiian beaches right now as the rain hits my office window!
On the heels of this trip came another, as Steve and I, in March, decided last minute to fly to the UK for his uncle’s 70th b-day celebrations, leaving the boys with my folks.
Then a month later, in April, I started my new part – time consulting / counselling job while continuing to run my Full Flight coaching business.
Busy times, but good times!
And more trips…
In May I was off to BC wine country (Kelowna) for a few days with a large crowd of girlfriends (celebrating our collective fiftieths), where we hit up a giant garage sale under the hot Okanagan sun, enjoyed a leisurely lunch by the lake, and had fun evening out.
Coaching launch and not following my own coaching advice… lol
In light of my milestone birthday occurring in June, that same month I launched a special 50% off coaching sale, and soon after started working with some wonderful new clients.
Then, the same week that I threw my back out (stress induced! too much going on! not following my own coaching advice! ) it was up to the mountains of Whistler with two of my girlfriends (again celebrating our fiftieth!).
Luckily we had planned a weekend of rest (radical self care peeps!) which included a spa day (massage for me) and relaxing by the pool, so by trips end, I was more relaxed and my back was in much better shape, and my girlfriends and I vowed to make this a yearly event.
And then in a blink of an eye, June was done and dusted, baseball season came to an end for Will, and the outdoor camps for the boys started up, and all the while I continued to learn the ropes at my new job, and worked with my coaching clients.
Then things got heated….
In July and August we were up at the family summer place in Powell River while I worked remotely, and we thought for sure we would be back in our house at month’s end, as the kitchen and bathrooms were now mostly in, but it was not to be.
School resumed in September and once again Steve and I spent hours navigating the traffic on 16th avenue as we journeyed back and forth between Langley and Surrey. This is a one hour return trip that needed to be made twice a day, but sometimes three or four, if had a gym work out or one of the boys had an activity.
Still not done…
By mid- September’s my work was getting busier, Will’s hockey had started up which resulted in even more driving and at this point, our frustrations were growing over the VERY slow pace of the renovation work- workers were just not showing up and we would go weeks with nothing being done.
So, after some heated conversations with our contractor and threatening to involve our lawyer, things speeded up and we were able to get back into our place for the first week of October. Yipee!
Since then we continue to share our days with flooring guys, carpenters, siders, painters and the like. Yep, although we are now at 2019 the renovations continue…..stay tuned, pictures to follow, but I have more boxes to unpack first!
The worst of 2018:
Well that came just a few weeks ago, when we got word that Steve’s brother in law had died suddenly in his sleep. He was only 36 years old and left behind two children aged, 2 and 4 years. Needless to say Steve’s family is grief stricken and in shock, and indeed it was a very difficult Christmas for them.
This sad new certainly made Steve and I view our lives differently, and to truly appreciate all we have, and what we often take for granted. His family has some tough times ahead but they are strong people, and we know they will persevere, and in doing so will be a support to those young children in the years to come.
And so 2018 comes to a close…..
…but first we have my….
‘Best of’ List… for 2018
Best BOOK of 2018: Hillbilly Elegy:
A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance.
This book packed a punch!
The author talks about his Appalachian roots and contrasts the values of his Kentucky forefathers in relation to the poverty, drug and alcohol abuse, failed relationships, and violence he sees in his hometown of Middletown, Ohio, where his family moved when he was young. This book is sobering, yet in some ways hopeful, as well as funny, enlightening and worrisome all at the same time.
Loved it!
Best TV of 2018: Game of Thrones (HBO)…but also The Last Kingdom (Netflix)
You know I was going to say GOT’s right?! Although part of me fears GOT’s has ‘jumped the shark’ this past season, I am looking forward to the fact that ALL will be revealed in the eighth and final season.
I obviously have an affinity for history and my undergraduate degree is in Medieval History, so maybe that is part of the reason why I am drawn to shows like GOT’s and The Last Kingdom.
It’s not just the historical / fantasy historical aspect though, it is also the strong characters, (and I’m not just talking about the male heroes – Jon Snow and Uhtred- there are strong female characters in both shows) along with great story telling, Shakespearean drama, tragedy and wisdom.
Best Experience 2018: Jerry Seinfeld Live
Truth be told, travelling is always going to be my ‘best experience’ in any given year, and our family Hawaiian vacation takes the crown…because Hawaii… but outside of that, it would be the night in October that Steve and I went to see Jerry Seinfeld at the Queen E. Theatre in Vancouver.
As I told my friends and family, with Seinfeld’s show, I walked in with full on eye make-up, but when I walked out it was all GONE. I had laughed so hard during both the opening act (can’t recall the comedians name but he was excellent) and during Seinfeld’s bit, that my tears of laughter washed any trace of make up away.
Talk about a stress release! Go see him if you get a chance!
Best accomplishment 2018: Regular gym attendance these last 2 years- Yay Me!
I am pleased to say, that throughout the many months of living at my parents, I continued to make it to the gym for my 6:25am workouts. I think for 2017 I was attending once a week, and for this past year I have been going 2x per week with the occasional third work out squeezed in.
And you may recall that my “word of the year” for 2017 was “LEAN”, and after joining the small group workouts at the gym (Thrive Movement Studio in Ocean Park) two years ago this January 2019, I am happy to report I AM leaner and stronger.
Words / Intentions have power peeps!
Best Charity 2018: Foster Parents Plan Because I Am A Girl program
I regularly support a few charities but this one is particularly close to my heart. Foster Parents Plan – Because I am A Girl is a global campaign aimed at transforming the lives of girls around the world and assisting them to get an education.
If you have been looking for a charity to support, please consider the Because I Am A Girl program through Plan International.
As the Dalai Lama famously said;
“The world will be saved by the Western women”.
If you are reading this email, YOU are that privileged Western woman (living in a developed first world nation), and WE are the heroes we have been waiting for.
I know there is much more I can do for those in need, both locally and internationally- what about you?
Most Liked Instagram Posts 2018:
#1 Post Gym Sweaty Selfie and Radical Self Care
The one below was to do with the always important topic of SELF CARE.
Bottom Line – If you are not functioning at 100%, how can you best support others?!
Radical Self Care Peeps!
#enoughsaid
#2 Most Liked Instagram Posts: 2018
The other popular post that was a bit of a surprise was this quote that I just posted the other day.
I prefaced it with a comment about how, if you get still, you can sense 2018 drawing to a close, and before we get caught up in focussing on what we want the new year to be about, to take a moment to pause and reflect on the present and cultivate our “attitudes of gratitude”.
As I wrote in that post, my plan that evening was to take my gratitude journal and write down 10 things I was thankful for and really I try to do this every day but things get forgotten in the hecticness of the holidays.
Have you done a gratitude practice recently?
Have you done a gratitude practice recently?
So that is my 2018 wrap up my friend.
Thanks for allowing me to share it with you!
I find it is such a powerful exercise as it forces one to reflect on all we have done the previous year, and we have all done ALOT, as opposed to rushing on to the next item on our ‘to do’ list.
I hope you take some time to think about your highs and lows for the year, what you attained, where you fell short, your wins and your losses.
It is all good and by contemplating the year that was, you will be setting yourself up for a positive and intentional 2019.
I haven’t got my “word” yet for the new year but I will let you know when I do, and I hope you pick one out too.
Seasons greetings and wishing you and your loved ones much health and happiness in 2019!
xo
Eliz
PS I seem to be posting more to Instagram these days than anywhere else so if you want to follow me CLICK HERE