The Twelve Things That Kicked Butt this Year

When it comes to community, one thing is for certain, positive change definitely does NOT happen without a lot of hard work. We, in fact, are so busy in our communities that we often forget to stop and celebrate what we have accomplished before we head on to the next big challenge.

I can totally relate. I know that I personally don’t stop enough to reflect on the lessons (good and bad) that come my way each year.

So I am going to do it… I’m going to capitalize on this holiday season to pause, celebrate a little, and reflect on some of the things I have experienced in 2012.

Of course, no one can do anything during the holidays without a little magical help from the season. So to assist me with my little celebration of the ‘wins’ from the past year (personal and work-related), I will call upon the lyrics of my favourite Christmas carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas.

Here goes! Behold Janet’s The Twelve Things That Kicked Butt this Year (the annotated version):

Upon some self-reflection


I am thankful for:


A pair of bassets snoring next to me!

Upon some self-reflection


I am thankful for:


Two Ukrainian parents (ok, Ukrainian-Canadian),


And a pair of bassets snoring next to me!

Upon some self-reflection


I am thankful for:


Three fantastic mentors, 


Two Ukrainian parents (ok, Ukrainian-Canadian),


And a pair of bassets snoring next to me!

Upon some self-reflection


I am thankful for:


Four ACS teammates (Active Community Strategy Development, that is)


Three fantastic mentors, 


Two Ukrainian parents (ok, Ukrainian-Canadian),


And a pair of bassets snoring next to me!

Upon some self-reflection


I am thankful for:


Five CHOCOLATE THINGS! (c’mon – it IS Christmas),


Four ACS teammates (Active Community Strategy Development, that is),


Three fantastic mentors, 


Two Ukrainian parents (ok, Ukrainian-Canadian),


And a pair of bassets snoring next to me!

Upon some self-reflection


I am thankful for:


Six animal rescuers,


Five CHOCOLATE THINGS! (c’mon – it IS Christmas),


Four ACS teammates (Active Community Strategy Development, that is),


Three fantastic mentors, 


Two Ukrainian parents (ok, Ukrainian-Canadian),


And a pair of bassets snoring next to me!

Upon some self-reflection

I am thankful for:


Seven work-related conferences (well, it sure FELT like seven),


Six animal rescuers,


Five CHOCOLATE THINGS! (c’mon – it IS Christmas),


Four ACS teammates (Active Community Strategy Development, that is),


Three fantastic mentors, 


Two Ukrainian parents (ok, Ukrainian-Canadian),


And a pair of bassets snoring next to me!

Upon some self-reflection


I am thankful for:


Eight CFL football teams,


Seven work-related conferences (well, it sure FELT like seven),


Six animal rescuers,


Five CHOCOLATE THINGS! (c’mon – it IS Christmas),


Four ACS teammates (Active Community Strategy Development, that is),


Three fantastic mentors, 


Two Ukrainian parents (ok, Ukrainian-Canadian),


And a pair of bassets snoring next to me!

Upon some self-reflection


I am thankful for:


Nine friends to laugh with,


Eight CFL football teams,


Seven work-related conferences (well, it sure FELT like seven),


Six animal rescuers,


Five CHOCOLATE THINGS! (c’mon – it IS Christmas),


Four ACS teammates (Active Community Strategy Development, that is),


Three fantastic mentors, 


Two Ukrainian parents (ok, Ukrainian-Canadian),


And a pair of bassets snoring next to me!

Upon some self-reflection


I am thankful for:


Ten active communities (there’s that ACS again!),

Nine friends to laugh with,


Eight CFL football teams,


Seven work-related conferences (well, it sure FELT like seven),


Six animal rescuers,


Five CHOCOLATE THINGS! (c’mon – it IS Christmas),


Four ACS teammates (Active Community Strategy Development, that is),


Three fantastic mentors, 


Two Ukrainian parents (ok, Ukrainian-Canadian),


And a pair of bassets snoring next to me!

Upon some self-reflection


I am thankful for:


Eleven neighbours visiting, 


Ten active communities (there’s that ACS again!),


Nine friends to laugh with,


Eight CFL football teams,


Seven work-related conferences (well, it sure FELT like seven),


Six animal rescuers,


Five CHOCOLATE THINGS! (c’mon – it IS Christmas),


Four ACS teammates (Active Community Strategy Development, that is),


Three fantastic mentors, 


Two Ukrainian parents (ok, Ukrainian-Canadian),


And a pair of bassets snoring next to me!

Upon some self-reflection


I am thankful for:


Twelve ladies tackling (full-tackle football, of course…),


Eleven neighbours visiting, 


Ten active communities (there’s that ACS again!),


Nine friends to laugh with,


Eight CFL football teams,


Seven work-related conferences (well, it sure FELT like seven)


Six animal rescuers,


Five CHOCOLATE THINGS! (c’mon – it IS Christmas)


Four ACS teammates (Active Community Strategy Development, that is),


Three fantastic mentors, 


Two Ukrainian parents (ok, Ukrainian-Canadian),


And a pair of bassets snoring next to me!

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday with your friends, families, and fellow community members! It takes all of us to improve the quality of life in our cities and towns so keep up the FANTASTIC work. And don’t forget – celebration is as key to our communities’ successes as the people themselves.

See you in 2013!