Saturday, December 29, 2012

Meditations on 2012 . . . and Happy 2013!

Photo by Rosana Prada


It has never really been my style to sit back and reflect on changes, accomplishments, or other happenings of life that occurred within the context of a year about to end. An ending year was an ending year, and reflection seemed so cliché and backwards-oriented. However, 2012 has been a bit of a different performance, and by virtue of that, it demands a bit of a different closing curtain. As December slowly winds down, I find myself looking back at 2012 and applauding myself while smiling until my cheeks hurt!

This has been a beautiful year for me… a year filled with personal, academic, and professional change, growth, and achievement. As I navigate the terrain of a new profession, I am filled with both surprise and delight. To be sure, being a psychotherapist is everything I thought it would be… but it is also so much more. There is nothing more sacred in the world, in my opinion, than to be asked to share with someone his or her life’s most intimate, jarring, traumatic, life-altering, existential, and joyful moments. I am completely humbled by that experience, and I am filled with both awe and gratitude for every individual who dared to invite me, a complete stranger, to share that sacred space with her or him.

As my clients (I'm not a fan of the word 'patients') and I scaled, together, the cliffs, plateaus, and summits of life, I scaled, alone, the dunes, quicksand, mirages, and oases of being a doctoral student. I say alone, though I am surrounded by the most supportive group of people anyone could ever imagine: my husband, my family, my friends, my professors, my classmates, and even my clients (yes, they cheer me on!). So, though I am alone in my academic venture, I am not lonely. Still, despite all the support, this truly has been, and will continue to be, a Journey of the Self.

I have learned so much about myself, this past year, and I have accomplished every goal I set… and more… with flying colors! One of the most remarkable things I learned while working on these goals is that we can best enjoy life when we can live it mindfully… in the present … right here… right now. I also learned that life’s most exceptional moments are small, discreet, and undesiring of splendor. 

It is with great optimism, enthusiasm, gratitude, joy… and mindful humility… that I look forward to the coming year… and that I wish us all a 2013 filled with crisp blossoms and sunny horizons. Now, who wouldn’t drink to that?

Happy New Year, everyone!

xoxoxo
Nevine

19 comments:

S. Susan Deborah said...

Wow, Nevine, let me first offer my hearty congratulations on the splendid achievements that you have gained in 2012. It's wonderful to know that the year has been a satisfying one for you on all fronts.

I wish that 2013 is also a wonderful one for you and yours.

Joy always,
Susan

Martin said...

You're making the most of your journey, Nevine. Here's to a full and fulfilling 2013!

Mildred said...

C'est super de te lire et de pouvoir partager ta joie et ton contentement!
Félicitations ma belle Nevine!
Et que la nouvelle année soit aussi belle sinon plus que celle qui est sur le point de se terminer!
Mes voeux les plus sincères pour que 2013 exauce tous tes voeux et que santé et bonheur vous accompagnent, toi et les tiens, tout au long de l'année, sans jamais défaillir!

***
GROS BISOUS et BON réveillon, mon amie****

ps: suis un peu en retard pour te visiter car j'aime pas les fêtes de fin d'année et du coup j'ai tendance à procrastiner;-()

Betty Manousos said...

dear nevine, i am so proud of you, my sweet friend, for all of your achievements in 2012! but i am not surprised though.
you're awesome!

wishing you and your loved ones a very happy, healthy and joyful new year!

all the best in 2013!

big hugs
xoxo

adriana said...

Dearest Nevine!
To all you say I gladly add that having you as a friend is an honor, a delight and an adventure! Your words have given voice to things inside me I cannot express and also to things that I have not personally experienced and I thank you for both!
I wish you a 2013 of great accomplishments at all levels and settings! With all my heart!
Adriana

ConTemplate said...

Congratulations, Nevine. May the new year surpass 2012!

nyssa said...

You're an inspiration, Nevine. I'm so happy for you. Happy New Year! ~ Glynis

Nevine Sultan said...

Thank you, Susan! May your 2013 be filled with delight! :-)

Nevine Sultan said...

The same to you, Martin! Let 2013 be a great year for all of us!

Nevine Sultan said...

Merci, ma belle amie. Je te souhaite un bon 2013, plein de sourires!!! :-)

Nevine Sultan said...

May your 2013 be magical and filled with sunshine, my dear Betty. Big hugs back to you!!!

Nevine Sultan said...

And I wish you a 2013 bursting with inspiration for a new book (or two), and with bright stars in your sky! :-)

Nevine Sultan said...

ConTemplate, it's lovely to see you here. My warmest wishes to you and yours for a 2013 filled with hope and prosperity!

Nevine Sultan said...

Glynis, thank you. You are such a delight! I wish you all the best, this coming year. May your 2013 be filled with joy!

Mildred said...

Merci tout plein pour tes bons voeux mon amie!
Qu'ils te soient rendus au centuple car tu mérites le meilleur!
Que l'année 2013 exauce tous tes voeux dans la santé et le bonheur, ma belle Nevine!
Je suis encore en retard chez toi et j'espère que tu ne m'en voudras pas!

***
GROS BISOUS x 1000 et très BON weekend****

Mildred said...

Je suis allée te lire dans TNL!
J'ai aimé ce dialogue entre la femme abandonnée l'amie conseillère!
Oui, vaut mieux laisser parler tous les sentiments négatifs plutôt que d'essayer de les contenir...pas toujours facile cependant!

***
Re-GROS BISOUS x 1000****

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Mildred said...

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Mildred said...

;o)

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Nevine Sultan said...

What lovely images, ma belle! They are beautiful beautiful. Thank you thank you!!! :-)