They say you can’t change the past, but you can shape the future. And as I sometimes forget, you can control your present.

Reflection isn’t a bad thing, as long as we’re looking back with the intent to learn and grow, not revisiting old wounds and beating ourselves up over the “coulda shoulda” moments.

Last week I was blessed to attend a short presentation by Rowdy McLean who reminded us that it is our reactions and responses that shape our lives. We can be miserable and frustrated about what’s not good enough, or we can celebrate what is good enough.

So, reflecting on 2025 did I thrive or did I just survive?

Well…I could count 2x ambulances, 3x hospital emergency trips, 2x court sessions, a smashed phone, a dropped laptop, an Uber that wouldn’t come, several vet visits, losing the soccer final, all my kids moving out of home…

Or…I could count 4 overseas trips, 2 graduations, my daughter’s admission as a lawyer, a new phone, lots of Ubers on demand, getting to the final in soccer, all my kids moving out of home…!

I am also counting some wonderful clients; the ones I’ve seen once a year for many years now, the ones I see intensely for a time, and the ones I see every week or quarter.

There were moments during the year when I was just surviving, and other moments where I was counting my blessings. There are many learnings for me to continue to grow, but my biggest take away from 2025 is to be grateful and joyous in the moment wherever possible.

How are you planning to grow in 2026?