As the year comes to a close, I’ve once again taken time to sit near my Christmas tree and reflect.  Here is my open letter to 2024, and the lessons it gave me.

Dear 2024,

How’s it going?  If I had to sum up my experience with you in one word it would be, “Whoa!”  Whoa as in, “Whoa!  What the heck just happened?” or “Whoa!  That’s enough already.  You don’t need to keep pouring it on.” And “Whoa!  How in the world did we make it through all that?”  You were tough from the get-go, and you never let up.

• My theme for this year was to “Intentionally Invest”  There were some places in life where I failed miserable in investing in the right things, and instead spent energy and time like crazy just trying to make it.  There were other areas where I did invest well, and I’m already benefiting from the compound interest from those efforts. 
• I’m so thankful for my health and continue to understand why I shouldn’t ever take that for granted.
• I hope that everyone finds a partner one day that loves them, supports them, cares for people, and holds things down the way my wife does.  If you’ve already found someone like that, make sure you count your blessings.
• If my kids were flowers, they would be in full bloom now, and that’s beautiful.  If they were flowers, they would also be bright and colorful with creative weird patterns, who grow where they are planted while learning how to try out new soil.
• My goal in my job is always to work magic, to find ways to do the seemingly impossible.  I’m so proud of myself, because I know I worked magic this year.  I worked blood magic, sweat magic, tears magic.  I transformed dreams and wild ideas into reality and slayed the status quo like an evil dragon.  And when the dementors tried to come and suck out my soul, I yelled, “Expecto patronum” and shined a bright light until they retreated.  #Hufflepuff  (Side note, I wonder what my patronus would be. Bonus points to anyone who gives me a good answer)   
• 2024, you taught me how important it is to have a few good people you can lean on.  I worked magic, because I could lean on them when I needed to.  I hope you all have a squad of folks you can lean on when stuff gets hard.
• Being seen and being valued are two of the most important gifts you can give someone.  Never underestimate how much a kind word or gesture can mean.  Special thanks to all the people who gave me those gifts this year.
• When the going got tough, I didn’t put the team on my back, I brought them into my heart.  There’s a difference.  The back merely holds heavy weight.  The heart holds weight, embraces the people, and still beats with hopeful energy.  The heart is stronger than other muscles could ever hope to be.
• This year reminded me how much strength there is in vulnerability, and how similar our experiences are as humans.  I had a blog series where I talked about going to therapy, not knowing if people had any similar feelings or issues.  I was blown away by the number of people who said, “Whoa! This is the same things I’m going through.”  It was a good reminder that we are never truly alone, and that being brave enough to share our stories hopes us all. 
• I think almost everyone I’ve spoken to is on the verge of burnout or a breakdown.  I pray we all recharge and we find ways to avoid this next year.
• Speaking of recharge, I’m finally making some progress on taking care of myself physically.  Been working out regularly and seeing increases in strength.  I have a long way to go, but proud of my progress. 
• Whoa!  That’s a lot for one year.  I hope that 2025 is a little bit smoother around all the spiky edges 😉

The challenge: If you haven’t taken the time, take a few moments to reflect on 2024 and the lessons and emotions it gave you this year.  How will these shape you moving forward?

Have a jolly good day,

Andrew Embry