Recounting 2023: A Mosaic of Revelations and Growth

As 2023 gracefully exits the stage, it leaves behind not a thundering applause or a dazzling curtain call, but a subtle echo – a resonance within the chambers of my soul. This past year wasn’t a whirlwind of grand adventures or earth-shattering milestones, but rather a slow, unfurling journey, a mosaic meticulously crafted with slivers of profound lessons and quiet triumphs.

It’s Not Personal – One revelation that pierced through the veil of my naivety was the liberating truth that “It’s not personal”. As Epictetus wisely penned, “If you are disturbed by anything outside yourself, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your judgments about it.” This year, I untangled myself from the barbed wires of other people’s opinions and judgments. I realized that their criticisms, often cloaked in the garb of concern, were mere projections of their own internal battles, misplaced shadows flitting across my path. As Maya Angelou beautifully articulated, “You may write me down in history with your bitter, twisted lies, you may trod me in the very dirt, but still, like dust, I’ll rise.” My worth, my truth, resided not in the fickle court of their opinions, but in the quiet sanctuary of my own being. A big learning for me. 

Be Your Own Sunshine – This newfound understanding blossomed into the radiant realization that I am my own sunshine. No longer tethered to the whims of external validation, I discovered the magic of self-illumination. It wasn’t about blind optimism or saccharine cheer; it was about nurturing the embers of my own strength, celebrating the tiny victories, and finding pockets of joy in the seemingly mundane. Helen Keller’s words resonated within me: “Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows.” In that sunlit space of self-acceptance, I bloomed, imperfections and all.

They Will Judge You Anyways – Yet, even as I basked in the warmth of my own light, I couldn’t help but notice the whispers of other people’s judgements. Lao Tzu’s sage advice, “Let not the babbling of the envious trouble you,” became a mantra against the sting of unsolicited opinions. Yes, they will dissect my choices, analyze my dreams, and perhaps even condemn my very existence. But this year, I learned to let their voices fade into the background noise, a mere cacophony against the symphony of my own truth. As Ralph Waldo Emerson declared, “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” I forged my own path, brick by unyielding brick, guided by the unwavering compass of my own convictions. Whether it was the choice to continue painting in obscured abstraction or traveling to places that evoked peaceful rumination.

Hold Onto Your Truth – But the path wasn’t paved with rose petals. There were stumbles, falls, and moments where doubt threatened to engulf me. It was in these agonizing moments that I discovered the fierce power of holding onto my truth. William Shakespeare’s timeless words, “To thine own self be true,” became a battle cry against the tide of societal expectations and my own anxieties. Standing firm against the currents wasn’t always easy, but as Mahatma Gandhi poignantly stated, “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win”. With each challenge, I rose, a little stronger, a little wiser, the scars not badges of defeat, but testaments to my unwavering pursuit of authenticity.

Focus On Growth – And finally, as I sift through the sand of time, I glean the golden nugget of focusing on my own inner growth. Nelson Mandela’s wisdom, “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall,” echoes in the chambers of my heart. 2023 wasn’t a year of immaculate victories, but a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. I stumbled, I fell, I almost drowned in the strong currents of the ocean, however with each tumble, I rose, dusted myself off, and learned to dance with the winds of adversity. Henry Ford’s words became my guiding light: “The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing”. Every misstep, every detour, every hurdle became a stepping stone, propelling me forward on the path of perpetual growth.

As I bid farewell to 2023 and step into the unknown embrace of the coming year, I carry these revelations close, a mosaic meticulously crafted with the shards of self-discovery, resilience, and unwavering faith in the transformative power of my own journey. The year 2023 may not have been etched in headlines, but it is forever etched in my soul, a testament to the quiet revolutions that unfold within the ripples of our lives.