December has arrived, like a rowdy relative who shows up on the doorstep unannounced, expecting entertainment and refreshment. How do you respond? Do you scurry to accommodate, let your hair down and join in? Or do you hide behind the lounge, with curtains drawn pretending you're not home?
Some of you will have been changing the sheets, stocking the pantry and polishing the silverware for weeks, while many will be still trying to ensure there's something for dinner tonight not looking past what's in the diary for tomorrow.
This year, Summer was preceded by record temperatures and strong winds creating havoc for our emergency services with an unprecedented number of bush fires across the country and particularly close to us here on the Mid North Coast. Many have lost homes, businesses and livelihoods. Some have even lost loved ones. We have witnessed immense bravery from our RFS and emergency services and heartwarming kindness, the best of humanity from individuals and groups rallying to support our community, our wildlife and our homes.
There is no doubt these are tough times which see many people questioning our climate, our spending behaviour, our addiction to excess and even our purpose. It's not unusual to feel overwhelmed at this time of year, but with everything that's been going on, there will be some who are navigating feelings of despair. Be sure to look out for those people, and if you think you might be one of these people, please reach out.
As you reflect on the year that has been, including the recent emergency situation, what are the feelings that you recall?
Here are some of ours! We've felt excited with the launch of Dare to Care and apprehension as we navigated the transition to a new brand. We've felt proud to witness participants of our EI programs and workshops grow and prosper and felt validated with each and every testimonial we've received. We have felt enthusiastic as we collaborated with some extremely savvy business people this year, and grateful for their feedback and support. We felt inspired when we went to see Brené Brown in Sydney speak about authentic leadership, and we feel compelled to share what we learned. We were worried about the fires and the smoke that are still a concern, and we are relieved when every day we wake up to blue skies.
At the end of the day, how we feel when we reflect on a day, a month or a year, is a testament to the life we are living and the difference we are making. Reflecting helps us to learn from our mistakes and consider different ways of doing things. Through reflection, we learn to consider others and the impact our behaviour has on them. This leads to enhancing our relationships in all aspects of our lives delivering us to the most desired of all the feelings, happiness.
On that note, we'd like to wish you all a very thoughtful holiday season. Thank you for your support during 2019 and embracing our new brand Dare to Care. We wish you joy and happiness as you celebrate the year that was, and excitement as you set your sights on what's to come.
