This article takes inspiration from a fellow Writing for Resilience team mate, Ben Alexander. Earlier in the week Ben wrote an article title, 22 Lessons from 2022. I have woken up early this morning to write my own list of 22 Reflections from 2022.
Surround yourself with people that care enough to challenge you.
Change is hard, but it is easier in community.
Lasting change does, and should, take time. Be patient.
This lesson reminds me of two chemical reactions that both include sodium and water but couldn’t be more different. The first reaction is between pure sodium and water. This reaction is sudden, violent and dangerous. It leaves a wake of destruction in its path. Contrastingly, if the sodium is bound to chloride you get a very stable compound, salt. If you add salt to water it will slowly dissolve in the water until it is evenly distributed and all of the water becomes salty. Before undergoing change in our lives we need to find our stablising agent.
Build systems of change not destinations.
Ask people to help you identify your blind spots.
Every year I am blown away by Jess and I am so thankful to be a witness to her life and the recipient of her love. Thank you for continually showing me that you’re always in my corner.
With the struggles of my physical and mental health I began to isolate myself this year. As a consequence, I’ve really missed my family and friends.
Celebrate the 1% wins in your own life and the lives of those around you.
I need to get better at replying to text messages.
I am thankful for the example of a friend and colleague who is unknowingly demonstrating to me how to have a healthy appreciation of your achievements and to be proud of your work.
There is a fine line between high standards and unrelenting standards. The former sets your course straight, the latter sees you doing burn-outs.
I’m thankful for the friends and family who normalised reaching out for help.
I am so proud of Running for Resilience and to be a part of this community.
I’ve just finished 2.5 years in a role I never thought I would have either the skills or capacity to do.
I’ve held down a job for six years, something I never thought would be possible when I was first diagnosed with Still’s Disease.
I played my first season of ice hockey since my diagnosis in 2015.
We won the championship.
The need of the rare and undiagnosed disease community is overwhelming.
When overwhelmed, start with what is within your influence and capacity.
I started this newsletter.
I had the privilege of being a Rare Voices Australia ambassador
I teamed up with Hands Across Canberra to begin growing a community fund for Canberran’s living with a rare or undiagnosed disease. More to come on this soon!
“There is a fine line between high standards and unrelenting standards. The former sets your course straight, the latter sees you doing burn-outs.”
Bruh... this is me.
Great list, mate. Good to see you back!
Great read mate, was good to see you out and about the other day at R4R! Here's to a safe Christmas a New Year for you.