Whether it’s dinner, brunch, coffee or late night drinks—there’s a LOT to talk about with family and friends—from the personal to the world stage.

I want to make a few suggestions for dipping below the surface and spending time in meaningful conversation with others (it’s too easy to stay superficial and fall into the current Zeitgeist).

To be honest, while I am often delighted with what’s new and exciting in my personal and professional lives, I am definitely affected by the malaise prevalent in my circles at this moment… In my effort to step back and look at all of 2024, I am reminded of so many remarkable experiences. 

I was nudged to think of these because I received an email from my website hosting company blathering on about the amazing year it had been. I started to feel cranky and stopped in my tracks—I didn’t want to be that person. I’m no Pollyanna either. 

This year’s experiences ran the gamut from exciting, novel, moving, and powerful to challenging, sad, and heartrending. It took consistent effort to see all of life and not get caught up in the challenges that entered virtually every sphere of my life. My study and work with Appreciative Inquiry, Appreciative Living, and my spiritual practice supported me in seeing it all, focusing my attention with intention, using my skills, and reaching out to my circles/sources of support.

I’d hazard a guess that at least aspects of these musings resonate with you. What has your entire year been like—intrapersonally, interpersonally, at home, at work, in your community, and in relation to the world? In what ways have you called upon your knowledge, skills, attitudes, and your inner circles to support you?

What have you read, viewed, and listened to this year that has touched you? In what ways were you inspired, energized, angered, or heartbroken? Who have you shared good times with? How have you shown up in your worlds?

What’s in your heart and on your mind now? And what kinds of conversations do you want to have with family and friends about what you’re thinking and feeling as we move from this year into another? 

I’d love to hear about your experiences taking a step back and viewing the many aspects of your life over the entire year. If you’re seeking resources with an appreciative lens or support in stepping into that process, contact me.