Four days ago, we entered our New Year of 2024!!! I have watched all the Celebrations and Excitement and have honestly been stuck in my own little pity party of just how difficult this past year has been for me. I was determined I would not willingly publicly put it out there for all to see, and yet, I am about as real and authentic as it comes and believe wholeheartedly that to have real Integrity, I would tell it like it is. After all, I teach it!
2023 Kicked off with me Finally being able to put weight on my right foot after reconstruction surgery and far too many weeks being non-weight bearing! On Jan 10th , I was doing an in-person half day Training in a pair of boots that I nearly had to cut off of my swollen foot when it was over! That same day, we Listed our Home of 25+ years for sale for the SECOND TIME after putting thousands of dollars into repairs and listing it nearly $100K less than we sold it for the first time. Just two weeks in and the tone for the year was set! A week later, we buried my dear sister-in-law. I could keep going, probably for hours of all the “STUFF” I got to experience this past year, like 9 deaths of friends, neighbors, classmates, etc. over the past 18 months or so, that were all within 3 years of my age. (55-60 years young, and nearly all were health related) Or even how we hired a building company to build our new home, then two weeks after starting our house, the road washed out from the runoff from the past winter and it was a 2 ½ hour drive around to get to our property, so Bill & I became the General Contractor of our New Build! Exactly what we said we would not do this time! We were way too old to do that again!!!
But the final straw in this camel’s back was the death of my very best friend to cancer!
It threw me for the biggest loop and into the deepest depression, which is where I have been residing…..Yep, in that “poor me and I don’t care anymore”. But here’s the deal…it SUCKS! It’s time to pull myself up by my bootstraps and turn this ship around!
So, here’s to all the GOOD in 2023 & Me:
- Speaking, Training, Coaching, Masterminds and making a difference in tons of lives! Attending and Presenting at Trainings, Conferences, Retreats, ALL THE FUN!
- My National Speakers Association family & Swearing In the New NSA Mountain West Leadership!
- Being asked to Join the National Speakers Association Chapter Leaders Council!
- Managing & Running 3 Companies!
- Sold our Herriman Home! BUILT A NEW HOME AND COMPLETING IT IN 5 MONTHS! Being the General Contractor and Building our home DEBT FREE!
- Made Connections with new and old friends…attended my 40 Year Class Reunion! Crazy how that happened!
- Released 47 Pounds! Got the greatest health coach ever! Improved my Health!
- Son & Daughter-in-law Sealed in the Temple! New Temple and was a Volunteer!
- Learned to *Love Life* even while it is HARD, from my Best Friend while she fought HER valiant fight! Love You Forever Holly Burke!
- Bought New Sparkle Boots!!! And a new Funeral Dress…
- Lived way TOO many nights in a Motorhome and the Half Way House this year!
- Sunrises, Sunsets, Front Porch Time, living in the Great Outdoors! Unlimited Fire Pit Time with kids and grandkiddos, and Smores!
- Driving Machinery, pulling trailers, all the things-even when I didn’t want to!
- Lifted way too much, worked way too hard, moved way too much! I’m Tired!
- Disney World Vacation with my Speaker Family!
- Electric Bikes & a great trip riding them before we started building!
- Family Time, Family Time, Family Time!!! Everyone at our house for Christmas!
- Outdoor Concerts with family, friends and New neighbors! Just up the dirt road!
- Unlimited Time with Grandkiddos…Sleepovers, Easter egg hunt, birthday parties, Glow in the Dark Dance Parties, Splash pads, Drive in movies, unlimited HUGS!
- Phenomenal Children!!! Jesse, Hanah, Brady, Jessica, Blake, Tim, Shantell and Raj you are the BEST IN THE WORLD! I LOVE YOU ALL!
- Date Nights to Harbor Freight, Lowe’s, Home Depot and More! Seriously, I loved the Concerts, Nice Dinners, a couple movies and all the fun too!
- Extra time with my Mom! Christmas Party at my New House with ALL my Siblings and Spouses! YEAH!!!
- 23. Last the Best of All the Game…Spending my 39th Year with the Love of my Life! Working together in business and being the General Contractor while building our home! From moving dirt, to painting Tar, there is no one I would rather spend my life with! I am so proud of ALL that my Husband was able to do for us and our family…Bill, you are the best thing in my life! I love you with all my heart!
As you can see, what you FOCUS on is what you get! How you see things, is how you enjoy life. So let this be a huge lesson learned…Love Life, even when it is hard and might just suck. Serve others. Be kind. Have Gratitude for what you do have and you will have more!
As I look at this list that was easy and quick to come up with, I see 23 ways that my 2023 was better because of all that were in it! Thank you for being part of my 2023 & Me!