With 2013 almost over, it's time to review and reflect on the memorable experiences that have shaped the past year - and repent where necessary!
Here are my highlights:
Most fulfilling experiences:
* Working with clever and inspiring leaders, chairing two EDGE groups of CEO's for the Leaders Institute of SA , leading group coaching sessions for future leaders at Adelaide university and sharing in the excitement of their insights as they all faced, reflected on and tackled their challenges.
* Successfully completing a thirty-day personal challenge to cycle, play keyboard and write for at least half an hour each day. My May Insight 'No more excuses' details the outcomes.
* Through weekly yoga classes, (almost) daily practice and monthly massages, staying tuned in to my body, when every cell in my brain is trying to keep me incarcerated in my head.
Biggest challenges:
* Dealing with my husband's cancer diagnosis and the uncertainty of his health issues and our future.
* Learning to live with uncertainty, one precious moment and day at a time.
Best surprises
* Turning up for my husband's first chemotherapy session, to be told that a review of his results suggested he be put on a 'wait and watch' regime instead. Hallelujah!
* Heartwarming gifts from family, friends and neighbours when my husband was ill - soup, cakes, flowers, matching knitted beanies, lots of messages of support and favourite CD's and DVD's.
* A gorgeous bunch of peonies at the end of the year from a client.
* Discovering the exquisite 'Realms of Wonder' exhibition at the Art Gallery of South Australia. It's on through January.
Best value for money:
Leonard Cohen live in concert. While the whole world was eulogising the late, great Nelson Mandela, Leonard Cohen slipped quietly into town and bowled us over with 3 1/2 hours of sublime entertainment. His musicians cuddled their instruments like cherished babies and his backing singers filled the air with the sweetest of harmonies. Leonard, at 79 years of age, showed us the true meaning of respect. Doffing his hat each time one of his team performed a solo, he admitted they were all tired after months on tour and looking forward to getting home to their own beds and baths, but promised they would still give us everything they had. Oh, how they delivered!
Most impactful and highly recommended book:
The Five Languages of Love by Gary Chapman. This has been around for years and I knew its central premise so never bothered to read it until this year. In addition to better understanding the model, I actually discovered my own love language, learned how to keep my 'love tank' filled up and recommended the book to many others, who I know have done the same.
Favourite quote:
Seven year old grandson Jack, a talented athlete and very fast runner, who famously said "I usually wait when I get near the end of a race so everyone can cross the finishing line together".
Best fun
* Having cancelled our 5 week overseas holiday in June and July, a week away interstate in November was just what the doctor ordered. We treated ourselves to three days at the Windsor in Melbourne, four staying with friends in Tasmania (including visits to MONA, Bruny Island and Mount Wellington) and returned via a day and overnight in sunny Sydney.
* Discovering British comedian Michael McIntyre - check him out on YouTube.
* The Aussie cricketers winning back the Ashes and leading the series 4 – 0 as I write.
Best decisions:
* Booking myself into the Sydney Intercontinental Hotel for 24 hours of solitude and pampering when I really, really needed it in September.
* Outsourcing regular house cleaning and Ayervedic massages.
Most grateful that:
My 95 year old mother is still with us; we live and walk every day on South Australia’s favourite beach; I still do what I love which is coaching and mentoring extraordinary leaders and I still share my life with the most gorgeous man on the planet.
Things to repent:
In the words of the great poet Leonard Cohen,
'When they said REPENT REPENT
I wonder what they meant"
Here are my highlights:
Most fulfilling experiences:
* Working with clever and inspiring leaders, chairing two EDGE groups of CEO's for the Leaders Institute of SA , leading group coaching sessions for future leaders at Adelaide university and sharing in the excitement of their insights as they all faced, reflected on and tackled their challenges.
* Successfully completing a thirty-day personal challenge to cycle, play keyboard and write for at least half an hour each day. My May Insight 'No more excuses' details the outcomes.
* Through weekly yoga classes, (almost) daily practice and monthly massages, staying tuned in to my body, when every cell in my brain is trying to keep me incarcerated in my head.
Biggest challenges:
* Dealing with my husband's cancer diagnosis and the uncertainty of his health issues and our future.
* Learning to live with uncertainty, one precious moment and day at a time.
Best surprises
* Turning up for my husband's first chemotherapy session, to be told that a review of his results suggested he be put on a 'wait and watch' regime instead. Hallelujah!
* Heartwarming gifts from family, friends and neighbours when my husband was ill - soup, cakes, flowers, matching knitted beanies, lots of messages of support and favourite CD's and DVD's.
* A gorgeous bunch of peonies at the end of the year from a client.
* Discovering the exquisite 'Realms of Wonder' exhibition at the Art Gallery of South Australia. It's on through January.
Best value for money:
Leonard Cohen live in concert. While the whole world was eulogising the late, great Nelson Mandela, Leonard Cohen slipped quietly into town and bowled us over with 3 1/2 hours of sublime entertainment. His musicians cuddled their instruments like cherished babies and his backing singers filled the air with the sweetest of harmonies. Leonard, at 79 years of age, showed us the true meaning of respect. Doffing his hat each time one of his team performed a solo, he admitted they were all tired after months on tour and looking forward to getting home to their own beds and baths, but promised they would still give us everything they had. Oh, how they delivered!
Most impactful and highly recommended book:
The Five Languages of Love by Gary Chapman. This has been around for years and I knew its central premise so never bothered to read it until this year. In addition to better understanding the model, I actually discovered my own love language, learned how to keep my 'love tank' filled up and recommended the book to many others, who I know have done the same.
Favourite quote:
Seven year old grandson Jack, a talented athlete and very fast runner, who famously said "I usually wait when I get near the end of a race so everyone can cross the finishing line together".
Best fun
* Having cancelled our 5 week overseas holiday in June and July, a week away interstate in November was just what the doctor ordered. We treated ourselves to three days at the Windsor in Melbourne, four staying with friends in Tasmania (including visits to MONA, Bruny Island and Mount Wellington) and returned via a day and overnight in sunny Sydney.
* Discovering British comedian Michael McIntyre - check him out on YouTube.
* The Aussie cricketers winning back the Ashes and leading the series 4 – 0 as I write.
Best decisions:
* Booking myself into the Sydney Intercontinental Hotel for 24 hours of solitude and pampering when I really, really needed it in September.
* Outsourcing regular house cleaning and Ayervedic massages.
Most grateful that:
My 95 year old mother is still with us; we live and walk every day on South Australia’s favourite beach; I still do what I love which is coaching and mentoring extraordinary leaders and I still share my life with the most gorgeous man on the planet.
Things to repent:
In the words of the great poet Leonard Cohen,
'When they said REPENT REPENT
I wonder what they meant"
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