This year for me has been a mixture of the best and the worst. It’s the first time I’ve been able to catch my breath in a long time. It’s a reminder to me of how life can change on a dime, and how we must travel through the hills and valleys.
In 2022 my book was published (From Conflict to Courage) and had the pleasure of doing the audio version of the book, which was a rewarding albeit grueling process. During the audio recording of the book, I also filmed another LinkedIn course from my home, where they shipped the cameras to me. Check it out if you want. It’s called:
How Leaders Drive Results and Resolve Conflict in Hybrid Workplace
To my surprise in September my book received an international award (long listed) by getAbstract. I was invited to Germany to attend the awards ceremony. It was the trip of a lifetime. I have included a couple of pictures.
I struggled with the decision to go to Germany because my mom had been in long term care since January, and I had been there every single day with the exception of a few days. My family said they would help, so I decided to go to Germany and I told mom about the trip. She died two weeks after I told her, and two weeks before I left.
As we enter into a New Year, remember that life has and always been uncertain. What we can do is to live by our own values, and manage the hills and the valleys. Nothing lasts forever—not the good times or the bad. We all say we want more inclusion and connection. You can start right where you are by including your elders, new employees, or single friends who might otherwise feel left out in the hustle and bustle of a busy life.
Take care,
Marlene Chism
