In lieu of our normal interviews this month, we are starting the year by asking both staff and community members two questions-
What is something you learned over the past year?
What is an intention you are taking into the new year?
We hope this inspires you to reflect and respond as well ❤️
Reflections from Thrive staff
Sophie
One thing I learned over the past year is that I am capable of a lot more than I think I am, and I need to give myself more credit!
This year I am going to work on carving out intentional time to rest.
Emily
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned this year is that every behavior or reaction makes sense when viewed through the lens of understanding. Everyone has a story, and when we pause to listen, we uncover perspectives within ourselves that transform the way we are able to connect with others.
I am bringing the intention of peace and stillness within myself into the New Year. I want to take care of my mental health & my energy - so that I can show up for my people, my clients, and my coworkers as the best version of myself.
Britta
This year I learned what it truly means to recenter and be in the present moment. Having just had a baby, I knew I had to be present for him before anything else. In the past I was a multi-tasker, always doing many things at once, but with the acute needs of a baby I have learned to give myself grace and really be present for each thing in it’s own moment. I know I constantly need to practice this recentering though, as it doesn’t come naturally!
In the new year I hope to grow my ability to ask for what I need when I need it.
Bri
Something I learned this past year is that life can become very overwhelming (very quickly). But even still, I wrote this poem as a gentle reminder to myself:
"Release,
Let go,
I am not in control.
Though I care deeply,
worry will not free me
from the burden of
tomorrow's
potential
despair".
This New Year, I intend to practice living in the pockets of joy as they present themselves. I intend to extend myself the kindness and empathy I so readily provide to others. & I intend to practice mindfulness and exist in the fullness of each moment as I am given.
Maya
One thing I learned this year is to "Treat yourself the same way that you treat the people you love, because you should love yourself too".
I often find myself stressing when I make small mistakes or when I don't achieve certain things within the imaginary time frame that I set in my mind. There is rarely room for error and I feel so much disappointment in myself when I cannot achieve my version of "perfection". I have to remind myself that if this was my best friend, mom, or someone else that I really loved experiencing these "imperfections", that I would treat them with so much grace and love. I would do nothing but support them and help them find a solution. I would not judge them the way that I judge myself. So I've been practicing asking myself the question of, "If I do not treat the people that I love this harshly, why would I treat myself this way"?
My intention for this year is to learn to be kinder to myself when I make mistakes. I will start treating myself the way that I treat all other loved and important people in my life. I will practice becoming my own loved one too.
Rachel
You have to unlearn some things in order to learn new things.
Being intentional about spending less time in front of a screen and more time outside.
Cameron
In the past year, I have learned to crochet!
An intention that I'm taking into next year is to breathe through challenges, and be as present as possible :)
Reflections from Thrive community members
What I learned:
That Redmond is getting so much better than 10 years ago. New library new runways at airport, great future plans for our town.
That when you have a good team anything is possible.
For the New Year:
To finally complete the last old projects that I’ve been working on for the last 2 years, to start a great New Year, and work towards working again and next year to start on my bucket list.
This past year, I learned the power of perseverance and trust; both in myself and in others. As someone who has been a "Bendite" since 2 years old, navigating homelessness, grieving the loss of my mother &!younger brother, recovering from major surgery, and overcoming challenges with affordable housing taught me the importance of seeking help and staying open to solutions. Thrive Central Oregon advocates showed me that persistence and compassion can move mountains. I learned to surrender to my higher power and accept life’s challenges with grace, which has been instrumental in my personal recovery and healing.
My intention for the new year is to embrace my new identity as a “Redmondite” and build a home filled with stability, love, and hope. I’m looking forward to creating a space where my daughter and I can thrive together again for the first time in years. I also aim to continue my journey of serving others, giving back to the community that helped me, and trusting in my higher power to guide me in living a life of gratitude, self-sufficiency, & purpose.
One thing I learned over this last year was there are still good people who will go above and beyond what they are required to do. They do this out of the kindness of their hearts and are becoming more rare than ever before. If it wasn't for some women who have these traits, I wouldn't be where I am.
The intention I am taking into the new year is to pay it forward whenever I can. I want to be one of the rare people who do good deeds just because not because I have to or for any praise or acknowledgment.
What I learned in the last year....the importance of community and connection. Its been a really difficult past year and I'm going trepidatiously into this new year....there's so much uncertainty not just for me but so many others at this point in time. This last year I am happy just to have survived another year.
For the new year I plan to focus in community, enrichment and learning and growing.
[I learned] to try
[My intention for the new year] not giving up and remembering who is in my corner
[I learned] Being "selfish" and taking care of yourself, prioritizing yourself, doesn't have to be negative. It doesn't mean I don't love other people around me. It means that I want to invest in myself so I can be my best self. Which will allow me to show up for my loved ones.
[My intention for the new year] Slowing down and being in the moment.
✨ Thank you to everyone who shared a little about themselves with us -- wishing all of your intentions come to fruition in 2025 ✨
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