2013 A Time for Reflection and a Year of Completion

Saturday, 05 January 2013 21:39 Written by  Iya Bakare

The start of 2013 marks the beginning for new opportunities. As one year ends and a new one commences, celebrating a new year is always a great opportunity to reflect on how you much you’ve grown or achieved, mistakes you’ve made, lessons you’ve learned and new goals you aspire to achieve. You measure how far you’ve come and assess your next steps.

As I awakened from my food-induced coma from my mother’s Christmas meal, I wrote this column in silence as she and my sister slowly rose from traditional afternoon naps after we digested our Christmas goodies. It never ceases to amaze me how much food my mom cooks and how many groceries she manages to stock into our cupboard and onto our refrigerator shelves. All I can say is I am truly blessed.

Catastrophic, life-changing events like the senseless murder of 26 innocent children and adults in Newtown, Conn. a few weeks ago definitely put things into perspective. It’s difficult to fathom how those families were affected by this, especially around the holidays. Reading about this on my way home from work on that solemn day left me in tears as I rode the public bus. It made me hug my family tighter that night and more grateful for the blessings in my life.

For my journey, it’s important to examine what’s come before me in order to know where I want to go. It’s always a goal to strive to be the best and to complete what I finish. I think of special projects around the apartment I’d like to complete to make the bachelorette pad I share with my sister a place where we can start hosting social gatherings and entertaining guests. Most importantly, I seek to place my professional bar higher as I write more pieces that challenge my writing skills and subjects that continue to test my interview techniques.

Many people resolve to eat better, drink less or exercise more. There’s nothing wrong with the desire to possess a healthy lifestyle, but I’ve decided to apply that focus and discipline on other goals and projects. Over the last four years, I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to interview and write about some of the most well-known and some of the greatest unsung heroes. As you start this new year, I join you all in the challenge I’m giving. Aspire to continue to sow seeds and pay it forward as you bless others.


Iya Bakare

Iya Bakare

Iya Bakare, GMO's managing editor, earned both her Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees in print journalism. She earned her B.A. from Delta State University with a minor in English and graduated with a M.A. degree from Columbia College Chicago. In her spare time, the Chicago native continues to freelance and ponder ways to both inform and improve her community one story at a time.

She can be contacted at Iya@glossmagazineonline.com
Follow her on Twitter: @ibakare

Website: www.iyabakare.com

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