I started 2015 unemployed and in bed with a fever, and mused that things could only get better. That turned out to be somewhat prophetic, though I missed the bit about things first getting worse.
But things getting worse was probably the best thing that could have happened, because it convinced me to give up.
I will remember 2015 as the year I gave up. I gave up on further academic studies. I gave up on a career and a dream. I gave up on what I believed (and to come degree still believe) to be my calling and in the process gave up a significant part of myself.
Conventional wisdom says winners never quit. I say conventional wisdom is an idiot. A well-intentioned idiot, but an idiot nonetheless.
For quitting freed me up to try something new. And it has paid off beyond my wildest dreams.
With little more than an hour left before I bid 2015 farewell, I look back and have to say that this was a great year. As awful as it started, and as discouraging as the first two thirds were, the final four months have surpassed my wildest imaginings.
As I told my colleagues when I wished them a happy New Year earlier, for the first time in many years I’m excited about the new year. Between my new job and the new adventure of fatherhood lying ahead, I can’t wait to see what 2016 will hold.
Happy New Year. I’ve a feeling it’s going to be a good one.
if all else fails...use a hammer 
Yes!
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Yes I need help? XD
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Hmm. Looks like I wasn’t paying attention to which post’s comment I was replying to 🙂
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It’s surprising how hard 2015 was – on my side of the southern hemisphere it was a barrage of blows, including the sudden death of my Mum, which wasn’t expected. As you say, onwards and upwards for 2016 – and all best wishes for you and your family!
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Unfortunately there’s no way to bypass the hard stuff. In the end we can only hope for the strength to get through it and that something better is waiting on the other side. Best wishes to you and yours also.
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That’s a new twist — “I gave up!” I love your transparency and what you found on the other side of giving up! I wish you a blessed and lovely new year!
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It’s amazing what can happen if one stops just believing all those platitudes that we always tell each other. Which is not to say it’s easy. While I’m not regretting my choice, I still struggle with what it means for my life every day. I can only hope that one day when we look back, everything will have worked out as it should, right?
Thank you. And may your 2016 also exceed all your expectations.
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You’re so right. Allowing ourselves to see life through other lenses opens up a whole new range of possibilities. Too often we repeat without thinking.
Thank you for your well wishes!
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Die gaan jou beste jaar ooit wees.
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Ek hoop regtig so. En ‘n ongelooflike 2016 vir jou ook 😀
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Dankie!
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2016 is going to be awesome! 🙂 I’m so glad to hear that things are looking up for you.
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It is going to be awesome. There will be bumps to overcome, but they’re just there to keep us humble 🙂
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Voorspoed!
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Ditto 🙂
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Happy New Year!! I’m glad it ended on a better note.
Your reflections made me think of Pema Chodron’s book “Fail. Fail Again. Fail Better” which is a speech she gave at her granddaughter’s graduation. She decided to talk about failure because many don’t know how to deal with failure. I agree that when one venture doesn’t work out, it frees you to consider something new that you might not have thought of otherwise.
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That sounds like a worthwhile read. I’ll definitely try to get hold of it. All the best for 2016.
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Thanks! 🙂
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