We have two weeks to go before we say goodbye to 2023. I was kind of bummed out when the year began. Doubt had crept in, and I expected it to be a year long on disappointments and short on accomplishments. As it turned out, 2023 was a pretty palatable year. Here are the highlights.
Another Book (Finally) Published
I had a lot of doubt as to whether or not I would get Bring Him Back to Me onto virtual bookshelves. There had been several setbacks writing this novel, but it was finally shared with the world on 25 August. What stands out the most about this novel is the impact it has had on those who have read it. It is an emotional and heart-wrenching story of love between two people already struggling with their own demons while navigating the ups and downs of mental illness.
Quitting a Thankless Job
Like I mentioned in last week’s blog post, “Make a Choice,” I quit a dead-end job in June. I had no game plan. All I knew was that I needed out, so I left. That gave me the time to rest and recharge. And that time at home opened the door to an opportunity I hadn’t expected.
The Unexpected Marathon
At the beginning of 2023, if you had asked me if I had plans to run a marathon, I would have said no. My hips, my right one especially, was stiff. I was experiencing tightness in my calves, wincing in pain during my fascial stretch therapy sessions. All because of a lack of stretching over more than a decade of running. My bad. But a little nudging (or pestering) from my chiropractor tipped the balance, and I registered for the Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Even with a lingering foot issue, I ran the race in 4:34:03. While I was disappointed that I did not achieve a personal best, not quitting during the race—when I really wanted to—and crossing the finish line was a huge achievement.
The Books I Read
I read a lot of books this year, many of them during my commute to and from work. Here are my top five favourites (fiction and non-fiction):
Non-Fiction
Do Hard Things – Steve Magness
Be Useful – Arnold Schwarzenegger
The Creative Act – Rick Rubin
Essentialism – Greg McKeown
The 48 Laws of Power – Robert Greene
Fiction
Slow House – Mick Herron
No Plan B – Lee Child & Andrew Child
Abby Kane: FBI Thriller – Ty Hutchinson
To Bell and Back – Jeremy Waldron
The Manchurian Candidate – Richard Condon
A Final Wish
In this last blog post of 2023, I want to take this opportunity to wish you and your family all the best this holiday season. May you be present. May you do your best to be true to yourself. And may you live your best life.
And thank you for being a part of my journey. I am deeply grateful.
If you have a moment, I’d love to hear how your year went. What did you accomplish that made you proud?
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