End of Year Reflections

 

December 23, 2023 Regenerate Your World  Build the future you want to live in. I know these times aren't the easiest for all of us, but I am an optimist - I see the glass as refillable instead of half-full or half-empty. To brighten up your days, I publish the Regenerate Your World newsletter coming to your inbox on a bi-weekly basis. Let's Get Empowered!

End of Year Reflections Greetings Empowered Reader, As the year draws to a close, I have taken time to reflect on the remarkable journey we've had in 2023. Here's a look back on some of the empowering moments that defined my year, along with the invaluable lessons I’ve gleaned. This is an adaptation of the newsletter I send out to family members every year. 1. Travel to Oaxaca, Mexico: Lesson Learned: Cultural Immersion Fuels Creativity Our trip to Oaxaca taught my husband Chuck and me that embracing diverse cultures fosters creativity and innovation. The beauty of Oaxacan traditions left an indelible mark on our approach to problem-solving and ideation. So much so that we are going to Mexico City in 2024! 2. Celebrating Two Years of EMPOWER Possible, LLC: Lesson Learned: Persistence and Vision Yield Success The two-year milestone for EMPOWER Possible, LLC underscores the power of persistence and a clear vision. Each small step contributes to the larger journey of creating a meaningful impact. Thank you for joining me on this journey! 3. Lucky 13 Lesson Learned: Strong Foundations Sustain Success The celebration of Chuck and my 13th anniversary reminds us that the strength of personal and professional partnerships forms the bedrock of sustained success. 4. Ventures Across Boise, Colorado, and Santa Fe Lesson Learned: Broaden Horizons for Fresh Perspectives Our travels to Boise, Colorado, and Santa Fe reinforced the importance of stepping outside our comfort zones. Exposure to different environments sparks new ideas and perspectives, enriching our collective worldview. 5. My Two-Year Milestone at Essentia Health: Lesson Learned: Impactful Work Requires Commitment  The work of my colleagues and the dedication to Essentia Health for two years is a testament to the profound impact that commitment and passion can have on healthcare and community wellness. 6. Weathering the Snowstorm in Duluth: Lesson Learned: Resilience Amidst Adversity Duluth's record snowfall taught us that resilience is not just about enduring challenges but finding joy and camaraderie amidst adversity. I love the snow and 140 inches in one winter was a lot! I enjoyed skiing, snowshoeing, and shoveling snow. 7. Adjunct Top Moment: Lessons Learned:  There is potential for cross-pollination of ideas and methodologies between academia and our professional and entrepreneurial pursuits. My dual role as an adjunct professor at UMD and UMARY taught me how to maximize the synergy between academia and the mission at EMPOWER Possible, LLC. It was refreshing and energizing to be back in the classroom. 8.Gratitude Amidst Challenges: Lesson Learned: Community Support is Invaluable The health challenges with Chuck's father, Jim, faced emphasized the significance of community and support during difficult times. We are grateful for the strength found in shared experiences. 9. Staycations: Nurturing Connections at Home: Lesson Learned: Cherish the Moments of Connection Amidst global adventures, our staycations highlighted the importance of cherishing simple moments with loved ones. These moments are the threads that weave the fabric of our shared journey. Take a few moments now to reflect. Looking back on the year, what personal strengths did you discover or develop through various experiences, and how can you leverage them in the upcoming year? In what ways did you demonstrate adaptability and resilience in the face of unexpected challenges, and how can these experiences inform your approach to future uncertainties? Reflecting on your relationships with others, what moments of connection brought you joy or growth, and how can you prioritize and nurture these connections in the year ahead? As we bid farewell to 2023, I am deeply grateful for being part of the Empower Possible community.  Here's to a new year filled with continued growth, empowerment, and positive impact. Wishing you a joyful holiday season and New Year! Take care, dear reader,  Julie Photo Credit: Iwa Else.  Thanks Iwa for taking this photo of our snowshoes during a moon lit hike! Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Click here to get your own subscription. At The End Of The Year by John O’Donohue   As this year draws to its end, We give thanks for the gifts it brought And how they became inlaid within Where neither time nor tide can touch them. The days when the veil lifted And the soul could see delight; When a quiver caressed the heart In the sheer exuberance of being here. Surprises that came awake In forgotten corners of old fields Where expectation seemed to have quenched. The slow, brooding times When all was awkward And the wave in the mind Pierced every sore with salt. The darkened days that stopped The confidence of the dawn. Days when beloved faces shone brighter With light from beyond themselves; And from the granite of some secret sorrow A stream of buried tears loosened. We bless this year for all we learned, For all we loved and lost And for the quiet way it brought us Nearer to our invisible destination.

In the Media Join Melanie and I as we explore stress and burnout and some of the personal and professional issues that create it. Melanie and I both have had chronic stress and burnout and experienced toxic work environments and are passionate about helping organizations and individuals create effective plans to move from surviving to thriving . To listen click here. Interested in catching up on our previous podcast episodes? We invite you to explore our library of past recordings, where we delve into a diverse range of topics related to happiness and well-being. https://empowerpossible.com/podcasts/

Upcoming Events 1) December 2023, Career Reboot Summit, Navigating Career Crossroads Confidence Boost: Navigate career challenges confidently while aligning with your family’s needs. Renewed Enthusiasm: Rediscover joy and passion in your work, revitalizing your professional journey. Upgrade Your Job Search: Gain practical insights to enhance your job search and open doors to exciting opportunities. 2) February 29, 2024, Care for the Caregiver, Leading Age Minnesota Institute and Expo Email me, info@empowerpossible.com, with any questions you may have.

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