Goodbye 2024, Hello 2025!

(Local View from 4'2", Lake County Press, January 3, 2025)

As we say goodbye to last year I am reminded of all of my adventures, both big and small. Adventures on my Firefly on local trails with old and new friends to new medical journeys with new providers as my team continues to retire. Anything and everything can be an adventure- it is all about our mindset.

Were there things in 2024 that I wish didn’t happen? Sure. Were there events I missed out on due to my medical needs or being overbooked? Sure. Are there painful lessons hopefully learned and situations that I reget? Sure. Would I go back and change anything? No.

The good, the bad, and the hard is what shapes us. So in this reality, I choose gratitude and joy. Many times this is present in sleepless nights, anxiety before big meetings or appointments, and in alligator tears of frustration, exhaustion or pain. 

I don’t know about you, but I had high hopes to get ALL of my 2024 projects completed before 2025 so I could enter a new year with a clean slate. Well, good intentions don’t get me very far. As they say, “Fail to plan, then plan to fail.” When I don’t plan out my work and intentions then time flies by from distraction to distraction. And in my personality type I can choose to default and beat myself up for all the could have, would have, should haves. So I must work hard at self reflection, making a new plan, and then with grace for myself and others I move forward- one wheel at a time.

As I begin my transition from 2024 to 2025 I use tools like Jennie Allen’s Dream Guide to reflect on the areas of life in the past year with all of its joys and challenges and I dream big for what the new year has in store. I also celebrate all the milestones that were surpassed, the lessons learned, and most importantly the support system and relationships that keep me going. I wait with anticipation for new partnerships and collaborators in the continued accessibility and inclusion work here on the northshore and beyond. My heart is like a kid before Christmas when I think of new outdoor adventures on the Firefly and new memories being made with friends.

I also have to be real that there is much anxiety for the uncertainties 2025 brings with it. Lots of changes in government from local to national and beyond can and will impact life in deep ways over time. Systems of support will need to change and be dynamic to help foster and care for the disability community during these times of great change. So in this time of transition it is imperative that I and others set our priorities and truly know our WHY. There are so many things to distract us from the work ahead, even good distractions.

So, what is your hope or dream for 2025? What is your first action step to make this a reality? Who can support you in this dream? How will you encourage yourself and take care of yourself during this journey?

One of my greatest life lessons in my leadership and writing journey the past several years has been that we have to do the hard work and we can’t do it alone. So, thank you, readers, for continuing to read and encourage me in Local View from 4 foot 2. As you work to thrive in our community, I hope you know you are not alone. If you feel alone, I hope you will be courageous and step or wheel out of your comfort zone to ask for support. When you are met with rejection, I hope you will persevere and ask again until you get what you need. Generally speaking, we are a very stoic (aka stubborn) and independent population AND the reality is…we need each other.

Here’s to a new year full of dreams, plans, support, and a more accessible and inclusive community- one person, one project and one adventure at a time!