John Lennon’s song from which the above words are taken from is one i sing to myself every end of the year. “And so this is Christmas, and what have you done, another year over, a new one just begun.”
The “and what have you done” part makes me think about all i have done and not done last year — what enriched my soul, what didn’t. What made others’ lives better, what didn’t. A deep question to consider, that. Do we embrace life, with its miracles, surprises, disappointments and fears, or do we push back and try to define life on our own terms? A bit of both, i reckon.
On Jan 1, i was greeted with news that one of my former coaches died on Dec 25 at the age of 59. The first thought that came to my mind were his small child and wife who survived him. Then i thought about our meetings in Singapore and how i chose to take on his coaching, even though it was very hard for me at times. But i learned SO MUCH from Jerome. i learned what my own crap was and how i could confront it and do good for my community. i also learned how to be an impeccable workshop leader by observing Jerome. i thought about how i might have learned more from him if i hadn’t had to move to America but remained in Singapore.
But, such is life. Cest la vie, as the French would say. Some things we can shape and define, others we can’t. i am reminded of the poem about how some people we meet are meant to cross our paths only momentarily while others remain close by. No doubt Jerome belonged to the former.
On another note, i thought about my coaching business in 2009 and how it didn’t do as well as the year before. But it also fills me with anticipation to know in my bones that 2010 will be a better year, in part because i am ready to run a better race. Bah the state of the economy and all its naysayers! i am polishing up my passion lamp, and doing my warm-up exercises! Let the race begin!
May you find inspiration in the start of a new year too!
