The end of the calendar year presents a time to reflect on experiences of the past year and look to the hopes and plans for the next year. It often becomes a tallying of the dichotomous good and bad or success and failure. Perhaps this is the time we should examine all events along the continuum and attempt to learn from all. Failure can be a great teacher. How did we handle it? Did we stop and move to something entirely different? Did we rework the plan and try again? Learning from what we often see as negative outcomes can bring unique understandings of who we are and how we can alter our viewpoints and perceived successes. Even failing can be a positive outcome if viewed as a source for growth. Constructive feedback provides further fodder for reflection and deciding what we will do differently, if anything, when faced with similar situations in the future.
This past year has had many wonderful experiences -- travel to a new city and province, seeing an iceberg, completing a great MOOC on food insecurity, wonderful meals with friends. There have been encounters that didn't have the outcome I'd intended. Persevering with the items led me to improve the approaches taken. Implementing the altered plans will take the activities to the next level. Sometimes throwing one's hands up in the air and walking away is the easy route. But, should we always take the smoothest road?
My hopes for 2018 include having time to care for myself so that I am better equipped to care for others and that we all find the moments of beauty, wonder and joy that pass through our days. Health and peace are wished for us all. Happy New Year!
For the fourth year, I have found this blog to be a place to ponder life's questions both large and small. I still find it interesting that others read my musings. <smile> As I've noted in the past, sharing ideas and music with others means the ideas are no longer mine alone. A song that often makes me think of the blog, rather that the other way around, is shared tonight. The singer-songwriter uses his poetic and musical skills to put together lyrics and melody. The production uses a gramophone sound, while the intro has a decided psychedelic feel to it. Enjoy!
Tapioca Tundra -- The Monkees (written by Michael Nesmith)
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