Open Forum

I was thinking this morning about the New Year and how when the calendar changes, we tend to focus on what we can do better in the year ahead. We want to improve ourselves, which is always a great goal.  But, I feel like sometimes in our quest to be better and in focusing on the future, we forget about the amazing things we've accomplished in the past year.

So Connect community, what's something you've done in the past year that you're proud of? It can be any kind of accomplishment! 

I'll kick us off. In 2022, I planned my wedding in two months, tried a new volunteer opportunity, and I started a new job with Rotary!

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Taylor Evans Ghosal
Evanston IL
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I saw this posted on Instagram the other day and it was pretty much what I needed: 

2022 was a pretty tough year for me personally. I lost my best friend to colon cancer, only 8 months after her diagnosis, and it tore my whole world apart. I've spent the last 6 months or so trying to figure out how to keep putting one foot in front of the other. I'm tremendously grateful for my friends, colleagues, and family for supporting me in the process. 

And as much as I'm looking forward to 2023, it'll also be the first calendar year that she didn't get to see, and that is it's own thing to reckon with. 

I'm proud of myself and my community for continuing to love each other so hard amidst a lot of chaos. I am proud of us for believing in What Comes Next and fighting to figure it out. 

This may have been a little more than you were hoping for, @Taylor Evans Ghosal, but for what it's worth - I'm really glad you asked the question! And dang, friend! Planning a wedding in 2 months is a HUGE accomplishment! Way to go!​

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Stay awesome,
Quinn
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-28-2022 11:30
From: Taylor Evans Ghosal
Subject: What's something you accomplished in 2022 that made you proud?

I was thinking this morning about the New Year and how when the calendar changes, we tend to focus on what we can do better in the year ahead. We want to improve ourselves, which is always a great goal.  But, I feel like sometimes in our quest to be better and in focusing on the future, we forget about the amazing things we've accomplished in the past year.

So Connect community, what's something you've done in the past year that you're proud of? It can be any kind of accomplishment! 

I'll kick us off. In 2022, I planned my wedding in two months, tried a new volunteer opportunity, and I started a new job with Rotary!

------------------------------
Taylor Evans Ghosal
Evanston IL
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I so appreciate your vulnerable response, @Quinn Drew and I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. I also appreciate how approached this question from a different angle, and one that's so personal. Believing in What Comes Next is definitely something to be proud of, especially when dealing with grief. ​​

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Taylor Evans Ghosal
Evanston IL
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-28-2022 12:50
From: Quinn Drew
Subject: What's something you accomplished in 2022 that made you proud?

I saw this posted on Instagram the other day and it was pretty much what I needed: 

2022 was a pretty tough year for me personally. I lost my best friend to colon cancer, only 8 months after her diagnosis, and it tore my whole world apart. I've spent the last 6 months or so trying to figure out how to keep putting one foot in front of the other. I'm tremendously grateful for my friends, colleagues, and family for supporting me in the process. 

And as much as I'm looking forward to 2023, it'll also be the first calendar year that she didn't get to see, and that is it's own thing to reckon with. 

I'm proud of myself and my community for continuing to love each other so hard amidst a lot of chaos. I am proud of us for believing in What Comes Next and fighting to figure it out. 

This may have been a little more than you were hoping for, @Taylor Evans Ghosal, but for what it's worth - I'm really glad you asked the question! And dang, friend! Planning a wedding in 2 months is a HUGE accomplishment! Way to go!​

------------------------------
Stay awesome,
Quinn

Original Message:
Sent: 12-28-2022 11:30
From: Taylor Evans Ghosal
Subject: What's something you accomplished in 2022 that made you proud?

I was thinking this morning about the New Year and how when the calendar changes, we tend to focus on what we can do better in the year ahead. We want to improve ourselves, which is always a great goal.  But, I feel like sometimes in our quest to be better and in focusing on the future, we forget about the amazing things we've accomplished in the past year.

So Connect community, what's something you've done in the past year that you're proud of? It can be any kind of accomplishment! 

I'll kick us off. In 2022, I planned my wedding in two months, tried a new volunteer opportunity, and I started a new job with Rotary!

------------------------------
Taylor Evans Ghosal
Evanston IL
------------------------------

2022 certainly has been an interesting year. I have a couple of proud moments & accomplishments to share.......

First is a funny one, as I was finally let out of New Zealand! I got to go to Evanston for a 2 day Strategic Planning meeting, as one of the newest members on this committee. To be a part of this amazing group was my accomplishment, as has been one of my Rotary goals for a number of years, so stoked to be working with this team. Being able to finally leave New Zealand, was HUGE. As a country we have been very strick with Covid rules & regulations, & weren't able to leave New Zealand & for many months, also not leave Auckland region. We did start to feel a little claustrophobic, even though we knew it was for the best. Being one who loves to travel, it was torture, so this was icing on the cake twice over.

Proudest moments are to do with my kids. Both have had an incredible year at school, with our youngest finishing Primary (Year 6 here) The amount of certificates they both got was out of this world, so our fridge is always full of magnets holding the certificates up.  Both very different in their accomplishments, as son Brayden (Year 9, aged 14) is a Maths whizz, & anything to do with tech stuff, he is incredible at. Daughter Izzy 11, is very arty, so came 3rd overall in Art for Year 6 students at her school, & also a great Hip Hop dancer, so her 2 shows this year were amazing. Now we are having our summer school break, so they have been off since Dec 6th & not back until 26th Jan! Bring on 2023.........

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Leanne Jaggs
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-28-2022 11:30
From: Taylor Evans Ghosal
Subject: What's something you accomplished in 2022 that made you proud?

I was thinking this morning about the New Year and how when the calendar changes, we tend to focus on what we can do better in the year ahead. We want to improve ourselves, which is always a great goal.  But, I feel like sometimes in our quest to be better and in focusing on the future, we forget about the amazing things we've accomplished in the past year.

So Connect community, what's something you've done in the past year that you're proud of? It can be any kind of accomplishment! 

I'll kick us off. In 2022, I planned my wedding in two months, tried a new volunteer opportunity, and I started a new job with Rotary!

------------------------------
Taylor Evans Ghosal
Evanston IL
------------------------------

Wow, @Leanne Jaggs! I'm so glad that you finally had an opportunity to travel. It sounds like your trip to Evanston was wonderful!

And it sounds like your children had lots to be proud of this year as well.

It sounds like you and your family are ready to tackle 2023!​

------------------------------
Taylor Evans Ghosal
Evanston IL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-29-2022 16:27
From: Leanne Jaggs
Subject: What's something you accomplished in 2022 that made you proud?

2022 certainly has been an interesting year. I have a couple of proud moments & accomplishments to share.......

First is a funny one, as I was finally let out of New Zealand! I got to go to Evanston for a 2 day Strategic Planning meeting, as one of the newest members on this committee. To be a part of this amazing group was my accomplishment, as has been one of my Rotary goals for a number of years, so stoked to be working with this team. Being able to finally leave New Zealand, was HUGE. As a country we have been very strick with Covid rules & regulations, & weren't able to leave New Zealand & for many months, also not leave Auckland region. We did start to feel a little claustrophobic, even though we knew it was for the best. Being one who loves to travel, it was torture, so this was icing on the cake twice over.

Proudest moments are to do with my kids. Both have had an incredible year at school, with our youngest finishing Primary (Year 6 here) The amount of certificates they both got was out of this world, so our fridge is always full of magnets holding the certificates up.  Both very different in their accomplishments, as son Brayden (Year 9, aged 14) is a Maths whizz, & anything to do with tech stuff, he is incredible at. Daughter Izzy 11, is very arty, so came 3rd overall in Art for Year 6 students at her school, & also a great Hip Hop dancer, so her 2 shows this year were amazing. Now we are having our summer school break, so they have been off since Dec 6th & not back until 26th Jan! Bring on 2023.........

------------------------------
Leanne Jaggs

Original Message:
Sent: 12-28-2022 11:30
From: Taylor Evans Ghosal
Subject: What's something you accomplished in 2022 that made you proud?

I was thinking this morning about the New Year and how when the calendar changes, we tend to focus on what we can do better in the year ahead. We want to improve ourselves, which is always a great goal.  But, I feel like sometimes in our quest to be better and in focusing on the future, we forget about the amazing things we've accomplished in the past year.

So Connect community, what's something you've done in the past year that you're proud of? It can be any kind of accomplishment! 

I'll kick us off. In 2022, I planned my wedding in two months, tried a new volunteer opportunity, and I started a new job with Rotary!

------------------------------
Taylor Evans Ghosal
Evanston IL
------------------------------