I had it in mind to write something as a reflection of 2022 as it was the year that some of our freedoms returned and I never got it together to write an end of year mail out as we often have done in the past. Then on New Year’s Day I saw this graphic and saved it to be my inspiration.
It’s going to be long and brutally honest so if you’re not up for that you’ll need to stop reading now.
10: HIGHLIGHTS
The positives are always easy so they will be short and sweet and with one photo a piece
1 Buying the Aerie with the help assistance and support of Dennis & Philip. and Madam Yary too of course
2 Taking the Crab Shuttle from Kep to Kampot with Yary
3 Buying a bike for Mr J’s son
4 Being blessed at evening Prayers by the Abbot after we had taught our last lesson.
5 Amyssie agreeing to teach the monks and all of us organising a trip to Kep Beach and to the Butterfly Farm so that she could get better better acquainted with the boys
6 Using the train system regularly
7 The neighbours and community in PP welcoming us and supporting and accepting us in their neighbourhood
8 Barry visiting twice
9 Taking the monks to Rabbit Island
10 Finally getting to Australia
Bonus highlights
Seeing Hornbills and fireworks regularly from our terrace
Continuing to see friends and the monks in Kep
Discovering Battambang
5: Disappointments:
1: We left Kep in a slow, structured and systematic way and though many people said they would miss us, only a few actually stay in contact or answer when contacted.
2: Ian’s fall
3: Getting Covid
4: Not being able to repair the stairs YET
NB How lucky am I that the only category I can’t complete is to not be able to think of enough disappointments?
3: Game changers
1: Retiring completely and not feeling we must have a “project”. We can continue to do the things we want and not do those that have become stressful or onerous
2: The Asian Documentary Film Festival & other cultural events taught me that I need more creative arts and cultural activities in my life
2: Despite enjoying being able for the first time to spend all our time together as a couple and choosing to do so, we are still independent individuals. And being independent is healthy was one of the positives I I learned from Ian’s fall. I realised I was able to do everything while Ian was bed bound and we still have different interests as well as many that we share.
3: Areas of Focus
1 For me the focus of 2023 is going to be more on friends and family ensuring they know they are appreciated as that has been what got us through the difficult time and challenges
2 Continue to focus on health, fitness and flexibility as they are more important than ever now as we age and deal with injuries
3 Writing more and more and continuing to take photographs as it is cathartic and helps with my perception of me.
3: Things you forgot
1: People often don’t treat you as you treat them. Their behaviour is not a reflection of your worth. As a result, I learned that when people you love don’t treat you right it’s pointless to think “What is wrong with you?” or “What did I do to you?” and always more useful to think “What happened to you to cause this?”
2: My mental health is fragile and many other people also have mental health issues that are not dissimilar but also can be quite different
3: Where my keys to the storage unit are?
Reflections
On many of the points above I have already included reflections so the two big standouts are:
1 Slow, Simple, Sustainable and Safe is a lifestyle that we have elected to adopt and it is actually really working in terms of improving wellbeing
2 Ian and I are co-dependent. We operate better together than we ever did individually
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