As 2010 comes to a close, all the news stations are covering the year in review. They are celebrating victories, mourning losses, and looking ahead with hope to a better 2011. Watching the world being reviewed made me think to take minute to reflect on my life and review it over the course of the last year. It often leaves me dumbfounded to stop and think about where I am this year vs. the same time last year.

So thinking back to the beginning of 2010, I was a few months into a job as a Marketing Director for a healthcare company. It was my first time to work in the industry, and I was feeling mounds of achievement at my nice title and the fact that I managed to break into the healthcare industry, a vertical which seemed next to impossible to crack when I first started looking that direction in 2009 after being laid off. Rhonda had pushed me towards healthcare telling me it was the place to be for the next 20 years, so I was happy to be able to realize this vision. 

In addition to my job, I started the fantastic project of compiling my conversations with Rhonda Shasteen, my wonderful mentor, in hopes of pulling together my book that I hopped could help people the way Rhonda has helped me all these years. Book writing was my side project, and it gave me a great sense of purpose that I hadn't felt before.

People keep telling me that folks often talk about writing books, but few actually do. When I hear it, I'm wonderfully complimented and encouraged. All the while I'm also thinking, it never felt like a choice. Something bigger than myself pushed me to do it. I love it when that nudge to move in a certain direction is so strong. I love the sense of confidence and certainty I get from it. All in all, writing the book over the course of 2010 was a profound blessing as it challenged me to revisit my time with Rhonda, and even formulate my own thoughts around the subjects held within the book.

Around March of 2010, I received a message on my LinkedIn account asking if I might be interested in a job opportunity with a healthcare technology company in marketing. I'm thinking, here's my chance to apply my full background in healthcare, technology and marketing. Seven interviews and two and a half months later, I started a new job as a Regional Marketing Manager for that company. I've been there ever since learning, growing and being challenged, all while being surrounded by an amazing team. Just being around them every day makes me feel blessed to be able to learn from such a wonderful blend of experience. This company gives me so many opportunities to be better and apply Rhonda's wisdom. It's not always easy, but I feel myself evolving with time, as I hope to do for my entire life.  

In November I found myself finally finished with the book project. This blog had launched, and it was time to launch the book as well. On November 5, 2010, I was fortunate enough to host a beautiful book launch event at Galerie Zuger in Dallas' Design District, and it was an amazing success on so many levels.

Shortly thereafter, my brother and I moved into a new place. Our family traveled to Mississippi over Thanksgiving, for two lovely book signings and reunions with wonderful friends. Rhonda even came out to be there for he signings.

December held my 31st birthday, and a lovely Christmas with dear family friends, the McDole's. With just a few days left in the year, I'm looking forward to wrapping up a final work week and celebrating the birth of 2011 with some wonderful, fun friends.

Here's to wishing everyone a magical 2011!