Deep December Breaths

What are you grateful for this December? I'm grateful for the support of my friends and family as I've launched my coaching business.

I'm grateful for three generations coming together from two continents for my husband's birthday this month. Three "Jurriaan's" are pictured here. My husband, Eric, his father, and my oldest son all share the same Dutch middle name. We enjoyed a beautiful 70 degree December day tooling around downtown Raleigh.

This time last year, I was in the throws of caring for my father with terminal cancer. He died 7 weeks after he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. My amazing husband stepped in my shoes during one of the busiest times of the year so that I could maximize the time left with my father. That time was precious. I had no idea what it would feel like when he was gone, but I knew how great it felt to be with him. He was a workaholic his whole life so just hanging with him while he made jokes and had nothing to do was a gift. He was also man of deep faith. He told me, "Jules, I'm not afraid. I'm a believer."

My dad's passing truly shifted my perspective. I did not realize until he passed how much he glued the family together. He was a beacon of positivity and selflessness. He was our leader. He loved music and a simple beer at the end of the day. He remembered your name and made you feel important. That's all any of us want - belonging and connection with other humans. For 2018, I'd like to focus on my relationships. There's always a lot to do, but in the end you remember your experiences and how you felt when someone remembered your name. 

What experiences do you remember from 2017? What would you like to change in 2018? I'm not talking New Year's resolutions...I'm talking real changes in the habits that are getting in the way of achieving your fullest potential. What would you like to  cultivate more of?  Try making a list of what energizes you and what depletes you. Then, decide what you will say "no" to so you can say "yes" to the things you cherish most.

Hug your family and friends this season. Ask them questions about themselves and listen to the answers. This life is precious. Love deeply.