What I Learned This Year
by Sharon GoodAs each year comes to an end, I find myself looking back to assess what I accomplished. This year in particular has been one of huge inner and outer exploration for me, and I'd like to share some of what I learned.
* An experience is worth a thousand pictures.
I've probably seen thousands of pictures of Egyptian art. But when I saw my first actual relief carving at Abu Simbel, I was awestruck by its beauty. It's been 20 years since I stood atop the Leaning Tower of Pisa, but the experience is still vivid for me, in a way that no picture ever could be.
* Travel really does broaden your horizons.
Experiencing a culture is very different from reading the news or watching a documentary. From afar, it's very easy to buy into the touted beliefs about people who are different from you. Traveling in Egypt, I often felt apprehensive or uncomfortable – not because I felt I was in danger, but because I felt strange and didn't know what the expected behaviors were.
But the Egyptians I met were warm, friendly people who loved their families, cherished their traditions, and went out of their way to make me feel welcome. In the future, I'll think twice before judging someone based on their national or religious affiliation.
* The arts really do connect people across national and cultural lines.
One of the highlights of my trip to Egypt was visiting a girls' high school. During our visit, we stopped in to listen to choir practice. We all sang along to "Do-Re-Mi," and some of the girls came off the risers and danced with us. It was an exhilarating experience to connect with these darling girls heart to heart, across lines of age, culture, religion and nationality.
* Some of your gifts may not blossom till later in life.
When I was young, everyone tried to push me into being a teacher, but I had no desire to teach in the public school system. Now, so many years later, I'm teaching public workshops for adults and training life coaches. I'm really good at it, and I absolutely adore it!
* There's a lot more to me than meets the eye.
I've been working on personal development for 25 years, but in recent years, I've grown into a person I never imagined I could be. Even though I know myself well, I've come to believe that I have unrevealed qualities and capabilities that will emerge over time. I can't tell you how exciting that is to me!
* Getting older doesn't mean going downhill.
This year, I did some "wellness" work. This involved some dietary changes and putting some new habits in place. As a result, I have greater vitality and feel stronger. While it doesn't make me as energetic or lithe as I was in my youth, I wouldn't trade all the fantastic experiences I've had and the wisdom I've gained for a younger, thinner body. I'm still strong and healthy, and I anticipate many more exciting adventures yet to come!
Self-reflection is so important to our growth and development as human beings! But living in such busy times, it's often hard to find the time. As a coach, I find that often, my clients have endless to-do lists and never feel they're accomplishing anything. Taking time to take stock of your growth and accomplishments is an important step in moving forward. When you see and acknowledge how far you've come, it gives you the impetus to take on new challenges with the optimism that you can achieve them.
And it just feels so darn good to feel good about yourself!
Happy new year!
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