There’s a lovely little inukshuk that sits on my desk at home. It’s not really meant to be there – it was bought as a gift for a friend who I didn’t connect with this past summer. I look at it sometimes, searching for direction. Maybe because it wasn’t for me, it’s not giving me any answers.
Inukshuks are a quintessentially Canadian stone figures, although they can be found throughout circumpolar countries. Used by Canada’s native Inuit people, they are monuments of raw stones that traditionally show that someone had been there – or that you’re on the right path.
The second half of 2015 has been really busy for me. But I’m not sure it’s been productive. I seem to have been spinning my wheels a bit – stuck in a rut, so to speak. Working over the same challenges, albeit in slightly different ways, doesn’t feel much like progress. It’s as if the work, chores and responsibilities have been driving me, rather than me making choices and driving them.
I spent part of today on my usual “close out the old year” activities – sorting photos (yes, real ones!), shredding bills and generally tidying up after the Christmas madness. This year, the “close out” activities also leafing through my blog entries for the year.
Exactly 365 days ago, I boldly laid out my small plans for the year. Clearly, putting plans into action wasn’t my strong suit. Fortunately, I also pledged to make many mistakes. That, I made good on!
I ran across this quote today, and it’s a nice reminder that we can try again. So in 2016, I will rededicate myself to many of those small plans because I still think they’re important. My challenge this year will be to find the path that will allow me to actually do that. Changes will be necessary. Some will be really difficult, because they mean breaking out of my comfort zone. I’ll have to say “no” to some things, and that won’t be easy. But it will give me time to develop a new perspective and space to say “yes” to new things, which is important if I want to continue to grow.
And maybe, thanks to a quick decision made over the holidays, I’ll get this inukshuk to its rightful owner this spring, so it can give direction it won’t give me, to someone else.
Until then, Happy New Year to all, Bonne Année a tous. Herkese Mutlu Yıllar!
