As the final days of 2025 approach, the brisk breath of Skádi blows in the air. The mind begins to reflect on the past year and the lessons it brought.
This past year was the year of trial and error. Competed on the mats three times, two of which the team had to travel, and it’s always a great experience to be a part of a team. Something that I didn’t get to experience in my younger years to the extent that I have now. One thing about being a teammate teaches you how to lead where you are and in what different ways you are capable of leading, while on the other side of the coin, knowing your place amongst the team and not overstepping. This transitions off the mats as well, knowing your place in this complex world while having the awareness to lead and learn where you can. This world needs more people to lead, so start small, take one step forward at a time.
Another lesson from this year is creating opportunities for yourself when you see them. In life, we will come across many doors along our path; some might be locked, some might be open, or some might just be cracked. The open ones: walk through. The locked ones: give it a knock. It might open to a great opportunity, and if not, trust the time on your path and hold on to hope that you’ll find your way to the right door.
The constant struggle of balancing by creating opportunities due to knocking on said doors and trusting that not every door deserves a knock along this path is something we all have dealt with. Thus being a good reminder to control what we can control. Because if we put so much attention and effort into something that’s not working, perhaps it requires that particular door to be closed but not forgotten. Lessons are everywhere if one’s mind is open enough to seek them.
Going into next year with the mindset of continuing to grow, create, and learn. On every January 1st, it shouldn’t be, “new year, new me!” Because let’s be real, people do not change; they learn to control the thing that has controlled them. Go into every new year with the intention and mindset of, How can I grow in ways that will help me achieve my goals? What opportunities do I need to create or be a part of to help achieve them? Be real with yourself, set achievable goals, and repeat. Life is nothing but a cycle and once we start to work within the cycle, your hearth burns brighter than it ever did.
Let’s use what 2025 and prior years gave us to create something beautiful in 2026.
Wishing everyone a Gleðilig Jól and a safe, happy new year! Thank you all for a great year of support! Let’s see what the fourth year of this site brings!
Peyton.
