1. I'm closer to my wife and kids. With the unexpected time off I've had in 2012 I've gotten to know my family better. I better recognize their individual routines, preferences, and have become more engaged in their lives again. Not that I wasn't involved when I was working full-time, but work/routines have a way of just existing and perpetuating in parallel to one another. Not this year ... I know and love my family more than ever!
2. I'm stronger in my faith. 2012 was a church-going year for my family and me and I couldn't be more thrilled. Our church has provided stability, optimism and perspective for the unusual year that we've been through as a family. All of my kids were baptized and better recognize the importance that God, Jesus and the church have in our lives.
3. Once again we've been blessed with good health. Holly and I both got the "super-preferred" rate as we converted our insurance policies (1% of the population gets this healthy rate), so that was at least a small indication of our health status. And while I have to get back on the workout wagon after lagging in my exercise efforts, as a family we are strong and healthy. With some family and friends not so fortunate in 2012, this has once again been a true blessing for us.
4. Money isn't quite as important as I thought it was. I'm not going to say that it isn't important because that simply isn't true. But lets just say I was robustly in the camp of "money makes the world go round". I've altered my thinking just a little bit to "people make the world go round". Relationships and people are the source of happiness in life. Money is a great catalyst but by itself cannot generate happiness. So chart a path for happiness in all of your relationships and utilize money as a means of supporting your journey. That's my new view.
5. It seems crazy that 2012 would show as one of the best years for me in professional growth when I was unemployed for about two-thirds of the year. But my current employment status has provided me more time than I had hoped to reflect on the following questions:
- What do I really want to do professionally?
- Was I really happy doing what I was doing?
- What can or should I change professionally to be happier and more satisfied with my work?
6. Based on #3 above I ventured into my own business and have learned a great deal about myself and the business of making money. Sure, I have an MBA. But in spite of the efforts to make the classroom study real (case studies, etc.) there is nothing more real than actually doing it. The clients I've worked with have also taught me a lot also. Great experience and one that I'll continue with robustly in 2013 in some way, shape or form.
7. In my search for why 2012 happened in the way it did I've stumbled upon one other answer. You would think that the growth and development I've shared in the six bullet points above would surely be enough of an answer for why God would abruptly turn my professional and personal world upside down. But I believe there is one further point He was trying to make. And that is HUMILITY. This is personal to me because I've always thought I was in control of my own destiny. Maybe not totally, but close. Master of my own domain ... yeah right. It was the smack in the face required. And whether I want to admit it or not, the only way to shake me of this belief was a figurative 2x4 upside the head - something big that bloodied my old belief and screamed "hey dummy!" Well, that's what I got. The 2x4. It sure would have been nice if God had employed a figurative tap on the shoulder instead. But I know now that just wouldn't have worked with me.
So a long post worthy of closing out 2012 and ushering in 2013.
Fresh perspective, renewed optimism and adjusted purpose. I'm jumping into 2013 with both feet.
Happy New Year!
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