New Years Eve has always held a very special place in my heart. It represents a time of so much hope and exciting possibilities. Perhaps this is why I waited until now to do my first blog post.
Now, let me make one thing clear: I have never been a blogger. I never wanted to become a blogger. I don’t even really know how to blog. But somewhere along the line, someone convinced me that my incessant ramblings might be able to help others; so, here I am. You see, I am a professional social worker (please don’t go running to the hills; I’m not here to take your children, or pretend to be Mother Theresa).
Not only am I a professional social worker, but social work is WHO I AM as a human. I am so passionate about helping others, and I get to do that on a daily basis. But like everyone else on this planet, I’m human; and sometimes I screw up (okay, a lot of times I screw up). I make decisions that aren’t the best choices, or struggle to pay my bills. Sometimes they’re small missteps. Other times, I feel like I’ve taken a dive off the edge of the beautiful Grand Canyon: it’s great and exciting initially. But eventually you realize that maybe we should have prepared for the jump and packed a parachute or landing gear. Now, mind you, this realization usually comes about half way down the canyon, so at this point we’re in it. We’re committed to this thing. This is when my friends and family hear me say: “Buckle up, Buttercup”.
This past year has been full of ups and downs for me. The ups were amazing; but man, those downs were rough. I started a new project that is affiliated with a non-profit. It’s taking what seems like forever to get off the ground. And I’m convinced that 2017 was once of those years that asks the question “what are you made of”? Well, you know what? 2018 is going to be the year that answers that question.
Each year I pick a word. One word. A word by which I want to live my year. This is my fifth year of doing this. My word for this year is “grow“. In 2017 I questioned everything. If I was making the right choices in work, in personal matters, in everything. In 2018, I am going to grow, in so many definitions of the word. It’s going to be hard, so hard. But it will be so worth it. I truly believe that if I focus on this word daily, this could be my best year yet!
What one word will represent your year? What do you want to focus on more? Will it be “brave”, “courage”, or “strong”? Or will it be “passion”, “hope”, or “self-care”?
Whatever one word you chose for your 2018, I hope it brings everything you could want with it. Because you deserve it.
So, while the traditional “Auld Lang Syne” plays in the background as folks in the Central Time Zone usher in 2018, I sit and reflect on my first hour of 2018, and all of the hope and promise the New Year brings. And growth. I can’t forget growth. Happy New Year, everyone! Buckle-up, Buttercup…
~Christy
