What will you be focused on in 2018? I believe that deciding on what you will focus on will decide the kind of year you have.

2017 was a year that started in November 2016 for me. I, like many other people, assumed I knew the direction the world was moving in. There were new challenges ahead that we had to face, but there were also expanding opportunities. I did not think Hillary Clinton was the right leader to guide us to this new world but she was a better leader than the alternative, at least she wasn’t looking to take us backward.

After the election results came in I spent November 2016 in despair and afraid.

But life went on. There was a wedding, the holidays, and a new year which meant it was time to set up new goals.

My goals for 2017 was to become more selective about who I associated with. Debate less about politics and discuss more issues. Make new friends and be an impact in other people’s lives. I was going to pay attention and be involved. I was going to join the resistance. I signed up for every publication, association, and nonprofit that would tell me what I needed to do to fight against the tyranny that was trying to rise.

January 1st started with a minor car accident and the month did not get any better. A couple weeks later I was in a hospital bed with a kidney stone and sepsis. It was the first time I ever truly acknowledged that my life could end without warning. I had been worked up about the election and all that was going on in the country and I realized that none of that mattered as much as caring for myself.  I took a closer look at what I wanted to do and where I wanted to fit in. I couldn’t jump at every request to contact my representatives or feel righteous outrage at every Trump tweet. I needed to live.

In February my husband and I took a much-needed vacation to the beach where I got to reflect. I realized that I needed to find some balance.

2017 was still a year of political firsts. I attended my first protest and went to my first candidate meet and greet, had my first campaign sign, and led a series of neighborly bi-partisan political talks.

There were many great moments in 2017. I went to NYC for what was supposed to be a  business trip but ended up being more of a solo tourist trip. I got to be in the live audience of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert the night that Michael Moore was his guest.

I repositioned my career to try to help as many people as possible adjust to what I believe are the realities of work, which is rapid change, no job security, and the need to be self-sufficient.

I started writing more political pieces.

I experienced 90 minutes in an isolation/float tank, a few times.

I cooked more this year and tried a variety of new recipes.

I drove to Dillard GA with my boys and a friend to see the total eclipse of the sun.

I binge watched all 7 seasons of Game of Thrones.

I learned how to use the nice camera that I have had for 2 years.

Overall, the year had more ups than downs on a personal level. On a political level, I am starting finding my voice and trusting that this is a nation of laws and checks and balances. I need to stay involved and rally for the future that I would like to see unfold, but I also need to live for the little day to day moments.

As we welcome in a new year I look forward to focusing on a new story. 2018 will be a story about self-improvement and new friends and continuous work toward a future of greater opportunities, creative expression, and spiritual connection for all.

Happy New Year and may 2018 be your best year ever.