[Average read time: 3 minutes]
With only a few days remaining in 2017, it’s the perfect time to reflect on this past year.
This is not the “new year, new me” bullshit, but rather a moment to take a deep breathe, look back at the past 12 months, and simply appreciate the past year for what it is – a moment in time.
My 2017 Year In Review
The Important Stuff
I was able to fly to Los Angeles 11 times to see my kids. That’s 27,170 miles.
11 trips will never be enough, but I am extremely grateful for those trips. I will work harder and smarter so I can double the number of trips in 2018, but this is not about next year so I’ll stay on point.
We made many new memories. We visited many cool places and my amazing sister invited my kids to a super fun day at Disneyland. I also spent quality time with my parents, bro, sis, and sis-in-law. I reconnected with old friends and was able to see my really good friends.
2017 was a great year for my kids, family, friends, so that makes me happy.
Everything Else
New Experiences
I tried Airbnb for the first time. It’s a surreal feeling knowing that I rented a room in someone’s home and they are sleeping in the room adjacent to mine. It’s a bit weird to say the least, but I’m happy I did it. I rented a room for $35 compared to a $100 hotel room which is cool, especially since I make this trip often. And I met a couple in their 50s who are using the extra money to retire early and move back to Nicaragua who I wouldn’t have ever met otherwise.
Created
Published two books – one non-fiction and one children’s book. Also created my first audiobook.
Published 29 articles on the blog.
Helped 93 people tell their career story with a new resume.
Interesting #s
Books read: 3
Audiobooks listened to: 12
Movies watched at theater: 53
Starbucks visits: 326
Best of the Best
Best-selling book: My First Spanish Words
Most shared blog article: Be So Good They Can’t Ignore You
What I Learned
Less is more: I Threw Out Everything I Owned
Focus on what’s important: 7 Things I Value More Than Money and Success
Avoid people who don’t lift you up: The Shitty Person Checklist
Themes over goals: 10 Important Skills They Don’t Teach in School
Life can suck, but it can always suck worse. Stay grateful: 17 Unique Quotes About Gratitude
Faves
My overall favorite movie of the year: Baywatch. I saw it 4 times…so far.
Action movies: The Fate of the Furious and American Assassin
Comedy movies: Fist Fight and How to be a Latin Lover
Horror movies: Annabelle: Creation and Happy Death Day
Children movies: Captain Underpants and Coco
Unexpected movie crush: Atomic Blonde
Book: Rogue Lawyer by John Grisham
Quote: “Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” – Robert Brault
Memory: It was a sunny summer day in Los Angeles. My kids and I were enjoying a relaxing day at the beach. My son was playing with toy soldiers and building a sand castle with an elaborate moat that according to him, “would help defend the castle against an enemy attack.” I was sitting a few feet away playing with my daughter and her Shopkins. She looks up at me with her big brown eyes and says with great curiosity, “Dad, why is your tummy so big?” It was the perfect combination of beautiful and funny that sums up my 2017.
What’s next?
Looking back at the past year is not about labeling it a success or failure; it’s about embracing the fact that 2017 happened and it doesn’t have to be ‘good’ or ‘bad’.
I try to be a good dad, a good person, and leave people better-off when they leave my life than when they entered it. I feel that I was a good person. I feel that I made at least one person’s life a little better. Hopefully I didn’t make anyone’s life worse. And I think I was a good dad.
Now that 2017 is coming to an end, is it time to look at what’s coming in 2018?
Nope. I’m going to take a deep breathe, reflect on the past year, and appreciate it for what it is – a moment in time. I plan on enjoying today because the future isn’t promised to anyone. And if we’re lucky, we’ll have the opportunity to wake tomorrow and live a new day.
