As we bid adieu to the old year and celebrate the new, let’s pause to reflect upon the past and look ahead with optimism and determination. With families gathered for the holidays or spread across the planet, staying in touch via e-mail, now’s the perfect time to take a look back at 2011, acknowledge the challenges we encountered and express gratitude for the blessings we received, to recall what made us laugh and what made us weep.

Poll family and friends to find out what each considers the worst and the best happening of the past year. In the case of the worst, talk about what enabled the person to get
through it. Nothing is ever as bad as it could be. Knowing that is comforting. Certainly won’t undo the misfortune. Just puts the situation in perspective. Armed with this knowledge, going forward we’re better able to keep calm and carry on, as the Brits say.

What was the best event of the year? Retelling that makes the happy memory come alive and sets the stage for an optimistic beginning to the new year.

Recalling the low and high points of the year past, then looking ahead to anticipated pleasures in the coming year strengthens communication skills and provides insights. Starting a journal, complete with pictures, where our memories and our dreams are recorded and preserved creates a tradition of sharing and a family history to be treasured.

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