Ahhh, one more trip ’round that burning ball of gas. And what a trip it has been.

This year has been a challenging one. Possibly one of the most difficult I have encountered.

But certainly a year of growth.

My word for last year was “consistent”. I failed miserably at being consistent, especially in the first half of the year. But, as the year progressed and I continued to look at that word so beautifully drawn and dripping down my mirror every day, I began to learn what it meant.

And I began to “master the mundane”. No, I am still nowhere close to where I want to be. “Master” is quite the stretch, and a quote from The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson.

Oh yes, I still make mistakes and screw things up on a regular basis. I still fail to plan quite often. I still bail on commitments occasionally. I forget to mail things out when I say I will. I go weeks or sometimes months without talking to people who have my whole heart. But I am looking for progress, not perfection. And progress in consistency is very definitely something I have found this year.

I get up on time consistently now.

I run consistently now.

I read again consistently now.

I am more consistent in my business dealings now.

I spend more consistent time with my kids now.

I use my calendar consistently now.

I contact my friends (more) consistently now.

I am kind to myself (more) consistently now.

The learning curve has helped me so much that I set up routines for my kids. Consistent, daily rituals that help them function a little better. And the peace level in the morning has skyrocketed. It is amazing what the small daily rituals can do for your lifestyle. (Start with  Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod if you are attempting to figure out a ritual)

And all the little changes over this past year have set me up to make one really big change for the coming year.

My word for this trip around the sun is “no”. Simply “no”. No to people who make my life difficult. No to mean people, negative people. No to opportunities that are not befitting of my skills or goals. No to wasted time that doesn’t enrich my life. No to the time suckers that take me away from the people I love. No to fundraisers for causes I am not fully committed to. No to everything but the most important things. No to things and people I love, because I need to learn to love myself more.

That is a big, scary word for me. It is one of the most difficult words for me to muster up the courage to say.

So if I tell you “no” this year, just know that it truly isn’t about you. It’s me, learning who I am and learning to set boundaries. Learning about time management and figuring out what areas of my life need to be revamped. It’s me becoming less of all the things that I am not, and developing the person that I am.

I love you all, and to love you better, I am learning to be the best me. And that means I MUST learn the word, “no!”

Blessings!!!

Shannon