Hello and Happy New Year!
It’s 2021. We begged for 2020 to be over quickly, and now we’re here in January, 2021. So, now what? Are there ways you wish to improve? Do it! Are there things you want to change? Give it a try!
By nature, life is full of repeats and patterns. One of the great lessons in life is recognizing these recurring patterns and using the wisdom derived from that recognition to either make necessary course corrections, so as not to repeat negative patterns, or to “stay the course”, hoping to ensure favorable patterns come back around. There is always room for improvement and for learning something new.
A simple reminder: It is often the littlest things that make the biggest differences.
May I suggest some ideas?
Show up and be present. Simply put, this means to be intentional about your actions. You never really know what you might hear, what you may need to hear, or who may need to hear what you have to say. If 80% of success is measured by just “showing up”, you are nearly there!
While you are “present”, be a dot-connector. While communicating with others, use your listening skills to identify cues. Are there ways you can help if there is a need? Do you recognize a potential path to an answer you are seeking? Listening intently during discussions is valuable and may help you find an answer you are seeking in an unlikely place or conversation.
Be brave - Every. Single. Day. In the face of adversity, sometimes the anchors in our lives keep us going and give us strength. Recognize them and hold onto them if that’s what you need. Other times, it takes reaching out of our comfort zones and trying something new, meeting someone new, driving someplace different, or changing up the pattern if we aren’t getting where we want to go. At least go out and try a new ice cream flavor!
Most of all, act with integrity. “Integrity is one of the universal and timeless principles.” (Stephen Covey). You can never go wrong by choosing right.
I have found that people are most always kind and offer grace, even when our own best intentions go awry.
What a year 2020 was for all of us. I appreciate the privilege of serving as Longview’s 23rd Mayor during these unprecedented times. While we all lost so much in that difficult year, and though the challenges are not all over, let’s not lose sight of the things – large and small – that we also gained through our trials and continuing perseverance. I have loved being your Mayor and look forward to serving you in 2021.
Here’s to a great new year!
Many blessings,
Mayor MaryAlice Wallis