Ready to Face the Challenges of 2009?

 

"Bring it on."

Dear Readers:

What a difference a few days of real rest and relaxation can do for one's body and mind! Like most people who fall squarely in the classic "Type A" personality category, I find letting go a little difficult. O.K., I find it very difficult. Even on holiday, my mind tends to keep working such that I'm constantly making mental notes or jotting down ideas and making 'To Do' lists for when I get back. This year was different.

While in many respects 2008 was a very good year for me both professionally and personally, the wretchedness of the last quarter was painful to witness and the uncertainties that face us in 2009 trigger a constant, low grade anxiety in the pit of my stomach that's frankly difficult to ignore. I needed distance from it all. This said, I was not about to let a few miserable months overshadow the personal and professional accomplishments, large and small, not to mention the little serendipitous pleasures and the many blessings discovered along the way. I therefore decided to honor 2008 and embrace 2009 the best way I could.

For the first time in a very long time, I did absolutely no work whatsoever for the entire period stretching roughly from Christmas Eve until now. I didn't even check e-mail or my blog - a first for me! The French have an expression for it: faire le vide. I did nothing but eat, drink and make merry with friends and loved ones for ten incredibly blissful days. I may even have overdone it slightly because by the time New Year's Eve rolled around, my Roland Mouret 'Madeleine' dress felt just a little on the snug side. So be it! What's an extra pound or two in exchange for some much needed perspective?

It was all worth it because I now feel like I'm much better equipped to face 2009 and the challenges ahead. And by all accounts, 2009 will indeed be challenging. Call me rebellious but my strategy for the new year is to refuse to succumb to the doom and gloom. I plan to meet the challenges head on and more importantly, I fully intend to be prepared to seize the opportunities that inevitably will come my way. That's my plan. What's yours?

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

Comments

[Dino]

Bravo, sounds like a perfect tonic to see out the year.