It would be easy to focus on the things that didn't go as planned this year (i.e. most of it). We've all had our lives turned over. But I'm going to try to focus on the positive for my retrospective. Start as you mean to go on and my focus this entire year and into the next has been a focus on the positive.
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| Lady Vivienne |
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| Indy doing yoga |
My family grew this year. My 3rd nephew, Dawson, was born in August, healthy and strong. My sister continues to do well despite the disruption of COVID as a teacher and her husband being an essential worker (if your power is on, thank a lineman). I have a new kitten and she has brought us much joy. Indy continues to truck along, an old boy now. at 13 He's as healthy as a geriatric dog can be and still has the energy to get his nightly walk. My girlfriend and I have grown closer during quaruntine and gotten through it together.
I hit my 2 years at Humana this month. Since January, I've been in a great role as a process consultant. My team is fantastic, people I really enjoy working with. The role was designed as work from home, so I didn't have to change modes when the Humana workforce was moved home. It's been an honor to work for a company that has taken the health of both their employees and the members so seriously. Watching their efforts to offset secondary effects of the pandemic - food insecurity, isolation, extra costs - has been incredible. And the fact that Humana is doing well means I can afford to support others is less stable situations, which has been a habit I hope to maintain going forward.
After 19 years and countless hours worked, I left the org after the behavior of their Board showed that they were taking actions to avoid being held accountable. I am always willing to help a group grow and do better, but when the leadership shows itself to be unwilling to change and to be taking active efforts to punish those pushing for change, I will not give them my time and energy. It was an easy choice, in the end, and I haven't regretted a day of it. Along with this came several people showing their true colors. Removing their toxicity from my life has been a joy and I am grateful to them for making it so easy.
This has freed up my energies for other, purposeful hobbies and we've been choosing carefully. It's been toes in thus far, given the pandemic means most groups are limited in their ability, but I'm happy with the choices we've been making. I expect to see this grow as gatherings resume in 2021.
At the very beginning of the year, I found a yoga studio I love. While my ability to practice in studio has been limited by the pandemic, I've been able to support them as they develop an online presence. Even better, I've made a close friendship with the owner, who happens to also be a fantastic person. A very unexpected but very welcome surprise for the year.
Jennifer's brother moving to Phoenix has brought family and the prsence of a toddler, which has been a wonderful experience for us. Having her around and getting to be aunts is so much fun. One of the most important relationships in my life is with my aunt and I'm glad we're getting to develop something similar with her. Her parents are lovely people and having this family unit locally has been a true joy.
Also, the Dodgers won the World Series. Just needed to make sure that was recorded.
We have been exceedingly lucky this year and I am grateful for it.
