2016 – it’s certainly been a tumultuous year throughout the world.  We’ve all experienced  hope, fear, concern, passion and so many surprises.  For some, there’s been a growing desire to insulate ourselves from the rest of the world, while others have sensed an awareness that we have been too insular – that instead, we need to reach out and connect with people who hold views that are different from ours. Regardless of where we fall on this spectrum, all of our actions, changes and life plans must begin with an assessment of what we each believe and want.  For that, I would like to offer this Year in Review process.   It’s a wonderful way of understanding what 2016 has meant for you and how you wish to take what you’ve learned and make 2017 a year to remember for its growth and accomplishments and fun.  You might want to find a comfortable spot, have a glass of wine, cup of coffee or tea or a glass of water available, and take a bit of time to become familiar with the most interesting and powerful person in your life – YOU.

• In a word or short phrase, how would you describe the experience of your life in 2016?
• Who did you meet that is now in your life? What do you value about this relationship?
• What emotion really caused you to grow?
• In what ways are you different than you were at the beginning of the year? What does this make possible in 2017?
• What did you do that completely surprised you?  What did you learn about yourself?
• What is the biggest challenge you faced? What internal strengths and external factors were helpful?
• In what area(s) of your life did you make progress? What more do you want to do?
• Whom did you really help?
• What were the most fun times you had?
• What are you most grateful for?
• A year from now, how do you want your life to be the same? How do you want it to be different? What do you need to do or change for that to happen?

Each of us is the author of our own life.  While our circumstances do affect our options, we always have choices about which path to follow.  We have stories that we tell ourselves -that either keep us stuck in patterns that feel limiting or frustrating or that empower us. Most of us have strengths we don’t appreciate that we can leverage to accomplish more of what we want, and feel happier and more confident.  My wish for all of us is that we become more familiar with ourselves so that we can take greater ownership of our lives – lives that will naturally become the enjoyable, fulfilling and exciting lives we want to live – in 2017 and beyond.