2009 in Review

I’ve just sent out a reflection tool to my clients. (I am happy to share it with you…email me if you’d like me to send you a copy). In it, I ask them to complete this sentence: “For me, 2009 was the year of: ____________________”

I’ll start.

“For me, 2009 was the year of NEW.” -  New business, new direction, new people, new challenges, new ventures, heck, even new definitions of new.

Inspired by Gwen Bell's Best of 2009 series, I’m devoting this post to all the “Best new (to me)” things of 2009. So…here is my list. It bears repeating that each item ought to be prefaced with “Best new (to me)”...this is important to note as I really and truly roll a little behind the times...culturally-speaking, at least:

  • Web tool – Twitter. While I still regard this application as a family member that I only really want to hang out with when I have to (not that I have any of THOSE in my family tree…I mean it!!!), my social media strategist is helping me to see the light.

  • Song – Boa Sorte by Ben Harper and Vanessa da Mata. Chillingly sweet.

  • Restaurant – Blowfish…curry salmon sushi. Sublime.

  • Workshop – Fulfillment workshop with CTI led by the mighty L.A. Reding. An unadulterated love-fest.

  • Taste sensation – Parmesan and chocolate chips. Now, trust me, this is not something I’ll eat with great frequency, but the Babe discovered it and I was mighty impressed with the sweet/savoury combo. I adore that experimenting with food seems to be a hereditary trait.

  • Realization – I can let things go without letting my self go. This is big and continues to be my work.

  • Article – Coach Buffet got some press in the national newspaper (hey…this is MY list, I can be self-promotional, can’t I?)

  • Blog – The Fluent Self. Havi Brooks is wicked clever and unabashed about setting boundaries.

  • City – Montreal. I’ve been countless times, BUT we did a houseswap for a weekend and really got to know the city…beyond just Biodome and the best place to get bagels.

  • Change in lifestyle – Quitting smoking…for keeps (thank you Dyana)

  • Unpaid gig – Mentoring young entrepreneurs through YES. Supremely gratifying.

  • Challenge – Conceived in 2009, it will be executed in 2010…it is, (drum roll please) The Great Canadian Yoga Stretch in support of CNIB…stay tuned.

  • Launch party – Jacqueline Parker’s SoloMag launch at Brassaii.

  • Scheduling software – Tungle...makes booking one-off meetings ridiculously easy and makes the organizer look super swift. Love that.

  • Visual – Babe clasping her hands at her chest during the live performance of the Sound of Music. (It was especially poignant during “Climb Every Mountain” …my mom’s favourite)

  • Tea – Almond Sunset (yup, good ol’ Celestial Seasonings). I discovered this in Lisa’s living room with dark chocolate and invigorating conversation with some delightful women.

  • Source of inspiration – Ray Zahab. Have you read about this man? Incredible.

  • Form of self-expresssion – Yer readin’ it. I’ve just discovered (well, back in January, I guess) that I really really like to write. Brenda Ueland wrote: “I learned that you should feel when writing, not like Lord Byron on a mountain top, but like child stringing beads in kindergarten, - happy, absorbed and quietly putting one bead on after another.” I just so happen to enjoy beading too. And if my readers get something out of my writing, well, then what more could I ask for?

  • TV Show - Flight of the Conchords. Hi-freakin-larious. Fo' shizzle (told you I was a little behind the times).

  • Memory – Bundled under cozy blankets on the dock up in Haliburton with my husband… snoring Babe draped over our laps, a lovely pinot grigio in one hand, bowl of popcorn nearby and millions of stars to be admired (21 of which were shooting). Expansive love.

  • Best new “you” – Every last one of my glorious and fearless clients. I wish I could name them all…in fact shout their names out from the highest mountain, but alas, confidentiality is sacred.

It was a curious year. Which is good, as I am a curious person.

2010 will be the year of MORE. I just know it…in fact, I just declared it. More travel, more time spent doing exactly what feels right, more of my “right” people. To make this space available, I will need to commit to “less” or certain things. More on “more” later.

Thank you for being here with me this past year. I wish you love and joy and I hope to see MORE of you in 2010.

TG

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Tanya