As the current year winds down to close this December, the end of a year, but also the last year in the first decade of the 21st century, take some time to reflect. I love this time of year in the week in between Christmas and New Years. I find it a very relaxing time. Whether you are single, in a couple, or indeed, happily married, give yourself the gift of some quiet reflective time this week and look back not only at this past year but also at this past decade. What has occurred? Did you get married? Have children? Change jobs? How did you weather all the presidential leadership changes of who is at the helm of the United States if you are a resident of The States. The Birth and growth of the EU? Political changes in Canada? Shifts of openness in China?
Whatever your political beliefs, when I pose the questions about the leadership changes, this is more to be reflective and then to ask yourself what do you want in the next few years and what you want and will do about that in the coming year 2010. This is not a question meant to trigger your political anger, which we all have some of, whatever our political beliefs.
I say “Aspirations” because so many “Resolutions” are not kept past the first 30 days for a variety of reasons. Aspirations are desires, hopes, and intentions, and if you fall and stumble from the goal, you can always pick yourself up and dust yourself off, restart, and continue where you left off. No harm, no foul, no penalty.
Myself, highlights of Hamlet, I got married joyously, and lost my husband to cancer, went through the grief cycle with him, saw the passing of all of the members of the older generation in my family and the shift of us into the adult sector of the family, saw my beloved brother wed the woman he loves, met my cousins for the first time, established my own company in response to singles asking me repeatedly for dating help. And so much more. Just I wanted you to get an idea. Highs and lows. Not every single niggling detail of life.
My aspirations will include business and economic goals, which will certainly entail business relationship building, as well as romantic relationship aspirations. I have to say, it is not feeling like a year in which I will like marry again. 2010 for me will be a year of foundation building, which might include building the foundation for my next marriage. My late husband and I were friends for some time first before we dated, and rapidly moved to courtship. We knew rather quickly we would wed. However, we waited patiently (yeah, me? really? sometimes it does happen!), and built the foundation for our relationship rather than rushing to the altar.
What about you?
A cup of this?
A spoonful of that?
A dash of whatsit?
Start to journal either in writing or audio record your aspirations for the next few years and even perhaps this next decade of your life and what you will do in 2010 to realize that. What seeds will you sow? Into what soil will you sow them? With whom and what will you water, nourish, and fertilize them?
Happy Dating and Relationships,
April Braswell
Hezron says
December 28, 2009 at 8:18 AMHi April
It looks like you stole my idea. Each year, I do a 5 part series on 2009 a year in review (inspired by the year in review shows on TV). I have 5 aspects that are important to me in my life and I do a review of the good, bad and ugly. For 2010, I will sit down in the next few days and map out a plan to follow. I have the feeling 2010 might be “the year” for me.
April Braswell says
December 28, 2009 at 1:49 PMHappy New Year, Hezron,
Thank you for stopping by my blog and commenting. Glad to hear you continue to move forward, always assessing and reshifting as needed…
April
Keri Eagan says
January 10, 2010 at 11:36 PMIt’s great to hear that there are other people who are friends first before dating. Sometimes it feels like I’m the only one!
“Aspiration” has a beautiful energy about it, yes? Gonna be a fabulous year and it has only just begun.
My favourite thing to do around this time is to buy a diary for the coming year because new stationary always lifts my mood (go figure) and each month before us is ripe with possibilities. Planting those seeds…
Blessings,
k.
Martin says
January 12, 2010 at 5:46 AMGreat advice. In my review of the future, I like to imagine I’m sitting down one year from now reviewing my 2010 achievements and highlights. This helps me bring my plans alive.
The other essential advice you give – which any good coach would give, and for good reason – is to note your review in a journal, and regularly update your journal throughout the year (and beyond).
Martin Wright
Julie Russo says
April 17, 2010 at 4:17 AMHi April, your dating tips are really helpful. How do I email you to ask more dating questions? Julie
Rafi says
December 16, 2010 at 11:11 PMI’d like to have a girlfriend but I don’t know that it’s that important to me right now.
Daniella says
December 17, 2010 at 8:50 AMTimeless dating advise April. Thanks
Louise Idoeh says
December 24, 2010 at 12:35 PMI do want a relationship like that April. Your blog post is quite timely for me and hits home.
Casey says
January 11, 2011 at 4:54 AMYour reminder that I need to do something and not just wait for love to accidentally find me is wise advise April.