As this challenging year comes to an end, I find myself reflecting on the last year and the experiences that I have visited. I have checked off a few new items on my Life List (if you have not seen my list you can visit it HERE), and added new accomplishments that I never considered possible. The year of 2016 has been a struggle for many, with myself included; I am drained as I start to build a list of challenges that I faced in this long 365 days. I suddenly remember, that through my short travels, the best cultural understanding that I have discovered is perspective. With this in mind, I compare the list of challenges that I have written to my list of accomplishments, the list astonishes me as its number appears identical! This is a perfect example of how one can reach the positive enlightened view that we all surely seek. I finish my self-contemplation with this thought, as I wish to take it with me into the beginning of a new year. What perspective will I bring with me on my travels? What perspective will search for at work? What perspective am I considering for this upcoming year?
2016 Accomplishments:
- Trained for and completed my first marathon (Atlanta Publix Marathon 4hrs 15mins)
- Trained for and completed my first Triathlon (albeit a smaller supersprint version), and won 1st place in my age group
- Gained a new promotion to Manager of Data Specialists (Hodges-Mace LLC; Team Lead to Manager)
- Traveled to California and Ashville (visiting over 26 different breweries, hiked with the redwoods, climbed Pacific coast cliffs, etc),
- Maintained a full time student status in the first half of the year (GA State)
- Endured and survived a craniotomy (tumor removal)
- Completed speech therapy and regained all memory (that I know of…!) and reading ability
- Was able to train back up to a half marathon in under 1hr 46mins after losing all strength from brain surgery
- Visited Belgium and found a new appreciation for the world of beer (visited over 35 different breweries, blending facilities, and historic pubs)
- Have studied thoroughly and taken the BJCP exams (passed the written exam and am waiting for results on the tasting exam)
- Was published in Brewtopia magazine’s quarterly newsletter
- Started my Travel, Culture, and Beer blog
- Won homebrewer of the year at my local homebrew club (3-5-4 Brewing)
- 4 breweries away from my goal of having visited every brewery in Georgia (42 visited, 4 to go!)
- Maintained healthy relationships and gained many new friends
My challenges and accomplishments for 2016 were much greater than I anticipated going into this year. This thought, will drive my positive and enthusiastic perspective going into 2017. What perspective do you plan to bring?
