10 Lessons in Pictures (2022)
I am reflecting on the year. I started the year with my word of the year being courage. I tried to apply that. It had mixed results but I don’t have too many regrets for trying. To close out the year, here are 10 reflections from a year being more courageous.
As a leader people are paying attention.
Sometimes it doesn’t seem like it but then something will happen to remind you, people are watching. I woke up and came down stairs to this on a Saturday morning. It was my son’s first day of work. He and prepared his things the night before. I didn’t tell him too, but he chose to because he has learned the importance of being prepared. Have the courage to live with integrity so what people see matches what you say.
Life does go fast, make sure to occasionally push pause.
My oldest son turned 18 this year. The years since his birth flew by. Take the time to live in the moment and be with the people in those moments. You won’t regret it. Have the courage to prioritize relationships.
What effective communication is
This is from a bathroom at a restaurant in North Carolina. It clearly communicates the expectation. Simple language and directly stated. Good approach to effective communication. Have the courage to speak intentionally.
What effective communication is not
This is from the back of an individually wrapped cookie. It is the opposite of the bathroom sign. It is misleading and ineffective. Who has ever thought of eating half a prepackaged cookie. Don’t purposefully mislead people for your benefit. This cookie has 240 calories. Have the courage to deliver hard messages with honesty, don’t hide the truth because it is inconvenient.
Joy or anger you get to decide.
This is my daughter. She has had many experiences to earn the right to be angry and sad but more often than not she chooses joy and happiness. I could learn to be more like her. Choose to find the joy.
You can make a difference
This group of people came together to pack meals for strangers they will never meet in a country far away. Why? Because my wife invited them. Don’t forgot you can make a difference and that difference is multiplied when you invite your community to join you. Sometimes people are just waiting to be invited. Have the courage to invite others to be a part of things.
Never stop learning
This is from an elementary school bulletin board. But it applies to us all. Never be too old to try new things or too stubborn to learn something new. Have the courage to admit there are things you don’t know.
Play to your strengths
This is my other daughter. She got a nice write up about her skills as a soccer player from the director of the club. She plays to her strengths and doesn’t try to be anything she’s not. Playing to her strengths has led to a lot of success for her. Have the courage to play to your strengths.
Take a wider view to avoid overreacting
These packages are all from the same larger bag. If you got only the one with five candies you would feel like you were cheated, if you got the one with six it would be just right, and if you got the one with seven, Jackpot. But in reality I got three packages and 18 candies. The intended outcome. Individual life events might feel like wins or losses if you take a narrow view but if you take a wider view you will probably find you are advancing at just the right pace. Have the courage to take the long view and play the long game.
Take time for self care.
You can’t neglect yourself and act surprised when your neglected self falls apart. We all define self care differently so do what comes natural to you, but do it. Have the courage to love yourself enough to take care of yourself.