Reflection - this is a word that will now always make me chuckle. I set up some Reflection training workshops at my last job, at a cost of £1000 each workshop and we started with 3 initially. These workshops didn't really provide much of value, but was half a day of understanding the word Reflection and a promise of revisiting these thoughts in 6 months. The follow up workshops were never booked in, because just before I was going to do that, I was made redundant. On Reflection, maybe if my company had reviewed it's spending on courses lik this, and expenses for Senior Managers who spent most of their week away client side, because their micro-management didn't allow them to trust their consultants, and gave themselves no time for future planning and 2020 forecasting and building the business, things may have been very different.
Despite my little dig, I'm not upset. I have spent a lot of time this year coaching people into understanding that you are worth 100 times more than the people who want to push you into doing things you are uncomfortable doing, and if you are not treated with the respect you command, it's time to move on.
I'm now working freelance, and cannot believe the kindness and helpfulness of those around me, who have helped me already get my feet up off the ground and get started. From the bottom of my heart I thank each and every one of you, for encouragement, for ideas, for websites and for work.
Also, 2019 was a year of change for me physically. After 6 years of knowing best, as a certified Nutritional Therapist, having been prodded and probed and taking blood in the name of science, I gave in and joined WW. I walked into my first meeting, oh so cynical and judgemental. I walked out an hour later feeling positive and ready to embrace change, and I have ended the year just 2 pounds off my goal weight.
WW worked for me because I had people supporting me, Helen, Amy and the team don't just weigh, they provide encouragement, remind me that life is for living (and food for eating and enjoyment) and it's all about well being and not just weigh loss. Thank you so much ladies. And so so sorry to all my friends, to whom I'm like a reformed smoker, and hopefully haven't become too boring when we're out choosing our meals.
My friends have been amazing this year. Of course there are always changes, people change, we all change and it's normal to grow apart or come together. But those who I have been lucky to spend the end of the year with are true friends on whom I can always rely to call, text, send naughty emoticons to and more. I look forward to love and laughter with you guys in 2020.
Our holidays have been amazing as always too. We were lucky to be able to visit the Treens in Florida again, and Lucy was big enough for all the rides. We had the best time with our "american family" and can't wait to see you again soon. We had a brilliant holiday in our villa in Portugal, watching little and large laughing hysterically for a week is a blessing. Dog holidays with the family too in the Cotswold and Great Yarmouth reminded me how much we really have on our doorstep and how lucky we are.
My family have continued to be amazing, their lives changing so much too as the girls grow and learn and James and I support them on every step of the way. Oh, and cutting my hair off was a big step in making me feel even better about myself.
There are ups and downs each and every year. It's so important to take the lessons from the downs and learn to build on the ups. This makes the downs much more acceptable. And a final message to take into 2020. EQUALITY - treat everyone as an equal. No one should be separated because of the gender, race, colour, ability. The sooner we stop segregating, even if we think we are doing it for positive reasons, the sooner we can see people as people; brains, hearts and heads to converse, love and learn with.
Wishing you all a very Happy New Year. Raising a glass half full to 2020 and filling it to the brim.
