Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and all the love and joy I can send your way over the holidays. Thanks for being here, for building such an amazing community, and for teaching me so many things over the past year. I’ve learned so much from each of you who write in, comment, and tell me stories about how you’re changing and growing throughout your lives and explorations. I feel so lucky to be able to write (and that people listen!) and that I’ve spent a year doing this thing on the side that I love doing–telling stories and being here. It’s wonderful.
It’s been an incredible year, both at my job and in editing several of the websites and projects I’m involved in, and I’m so grateful to have another internet home here on this site, to tell the stories of how I do it and what I’m learning along the way. I love writing, thinking things through, and sharing the behind-the-scenes of what I’m working on and how I think–and this year, I’ve been lucky to work with a few of you one-on-one both in calls and in the month-long Start Something Program. I’m blown away by the incredible people I get to meet and interact with.
You, seriously, are the best. I hope you all know how wonderful you are. I want to highlight some of the amazing people I’ve gotten to work with, as a quick nod to all of you and your talented ways:
- Krista, who explores the everyday human experiences and “response crafting” (I love this term!) … who doubles down as an IT Consultant by day and philosopher-doer by night;
- Jennifer, whose backstory is so touching and who has such grace and confidence; she’s building a platform and website called “The Health Sessions,” looking at how to achieve your dreams while dealing with chronic illness (check out her Facebook page, and watch for her new website coming soon);
- Lauren, who works in social media in New Orleans and blogs about travel, work and love at Mermaid Chronicles. (And my personal favorite: her story of landing a job via a story of carrying a surfboard through the subways of New York. Yes!)
- Lisa, an all-around “Advocate for Awesome,” who is a Higher-Ed power-punch and triple threat through her talents in speaking, writing, and intrapreneurial mindset–and a contagious zest for growth and learning.
- And so many more. There are some goodies still being crafted behind-the-scenes, and I can’t wait to see (and support) so many of you.
As my last big give-away before I wrap it up with my year-end recap (which I’ve been working on already for quite a while: it takes a little while!), I’ve got the following goodies to give away:
- 3 copies of “I’m Fine, Thanks,” — the movie documentary by Grant Peele and Adam Baker,
- 2 copies of Shane Mac’s book, “Stop With The BS,” and
- One free 30 minute coaching call.
Leave a note in the comments with your favorite memory of 2012 and tell me what you’d like to win before Friday, December 28th at Midnight PST, and I’ll do a random draw to give away to kick off the New Year!
All the best for the rest of 2012,
Sounds like you’ve had a lovely year! I’d love to win either a copy of the documentary (it’s my goal in 2013 to watch one documentary a week) or a 30 minute coaching call. :)
This summer I was given the opportunity to teach a laboratory at my university. I was really scared and didn’t know wether I should take this opportunity or not. And one day, I don’t know exactly how I discovered your blog and I read in one of your posts : “Sometimes you have to just do it and see what happens.” And it inspired and motivated me a lot! So a accepted the challenge and I loved it! It was a lot of work but I really enjoyed teaching, helping students and searching for new ways to motivates them. It was a great experience and one of my best memories and achievements in 2012.
And I forgot to add : thank you Sarah for your wisdom and your beautiful texts! Wish you a merry christmas and a happy new year! :)
Sarah,
Hope you had a great Christmas! I’ve learned a lot from you this past year, so thanks for all that you do! I would love to be in the raffle for, “I’m Fine, Thanks.” If there is anything I can do to help and/or be involved with your projects for the New Year, please don’t hesitate to ask.
I’ll be in touch.
Matt
My favorite memory of 2012 is boldly boarding a plane to Kabul to start a new job/adventure!
There is no doubt my single fav memory is that of my son being born on April 13th. Ever since i simply cannot be more proud then seeing my perform various antics.
Would like the opportunity to talk to you and share my ideas. – So option 3.
I’m having a particularly fond memory of sitting at the (only) good coffee shop where I live and reading Susan Cain’s ‘Quiet’ (had a big impact on me). I tweeted at her and she tweeted back! Surreal and awesome moment. We’ve had a few exchanges since as well. That morning, she suggested I write down where I was and how I was feeling (this is the year I also adopted carrying a notebook everywhere- still not organized well, but I write in it a lot!) and that I should look back on it a year from then. that’s coming up in February. It was a nice moment of connection, self-acceptance (i.e. I’m introverted…why fight it?) and stepping outside of my comfort zone (Tweeting a high profile author….not typical for me). It was an important part of me coming back into the world after basically shutting it out the last few years. As for the drawing, ‘I’m Fine, Thanks’ is definitely something I’d like to watch!
My girlfriend and I were walking in a forest in the North of Kyoto when it started to rain. We found an old wooden temple and sat under the roof for an hour watching the rain run down the steps. We broke up a week later, but that is my favourite memory of her and 2012. I’m interested in a copy of the book ; )
Thanks Sarah for all you do and I enjoy your emails each week! You are an amazing person!
Hi Sarah,
First time commenter, long time follower and fellow swimmer here. My favorite memory of 2012 has to be my completion of a 1/2 marathon. Goal for 2013 is a full marathon.
I enjoy your inspirational writing! Keep it up and I look forward to hearing about your work in 2013.
I would love to have a copy of “Stop with the BS.”
-Brennan
My best memory from 2012 is from this Christmas. I haven’t recovered yet from being unemployed for a while, and couldn’t afford much, so I shopped for gifts from my massive book collection. I found something appropriate for each family member, and they were delighted! My cousin got custody of his little boys for the holidays, so it was a wonderful family celebration. For the first time I felt it was truly about spending time with loved ones rather than stressing over “did I get them enough gifts?”
Either the book (natch!) or the movie would be great, thank you!
2012 was full of awesome memories. So many to choose from but a Top 7 would be visiting Europe for the first time.
I would happy to win any of the giveaways. :)
Hi Sarah! My favorite memory from 2012 is probably the moment I found out that a personal essay that I had written was being published on Salon. I was working from home that day and it had been a rough one in a job I don’t really enjoy any more. It was late afternoon and I was on a group call with Molly Mahar and a great group of women looking to – like me – “Find Your Passion Work”. An email popped into my inbox from the editor of Salon and my breath caught. When I read that she wanted to publish my essay – my first “grown up” published work – I just started crying. It was such an honor and I’ll forever remember that moment as the day I became, at least in my own mind, a writer.
I’d love to win a copy of Shane Mac’s “Stop with the BS” or a 30-minute coaching call. Thank you for sharing your words and these amazing resources with all of us! Happy new year!
My new favorite memory of the year is introducing my 10-year old and 3-year old grand kids to the tide pools in La Jolla just a few days ago while they visited for Christmas. Somewhat recently found your site while I’m exploring where the next phase of my life will take me.
I’d love either the book or the call!
Happy New Year!