As this year comes to an end, I am reminded of how quickly time passes. With every year, I find time passes faster. I have truly come to appreciate and understand the value of time. I was recently introduced to an online questionnaire which helps one determine their core values. It takes you through a series of in-depth questions about yourself and your day-to-day life, and compiles information about your answers into evaluative categories. Eventually, through a lengthy process, it reveals your top core values.

On the top of my list was self; the fact that I value myself came across to me as little selfish, at first. Then, I came to realize that if I have spent this entire year focusing on self-care so that I can be better for my family, then it made perfect sense. The second core value was family. That was a given. The third was time.

These results could not have been more accurate. Maybe it’s the fact that my children are at the stage in life where I know that they will soon be leaving the nest and be on their own. Maybe, it’s the need to squeeze in a few more memories with my family. A few more memories that they can take with them when they go. A few more memories they can share with their own families one day. Maybe it’s the fact that I am in the ‘mid-life’ stage, when time seems to be slipping through my fingers and I still have so many places to see, dreams to realize, and goals to smash.

As 2017 comes to a close, I will evaluate the year that has passed. I will reflect on how my time was spent. 2017 was a year of getting to know and love myself, as well as spending more time and energy on the things and people I value most. With the knowledge and strong understanding of my core values, I am hoping 2018 will bring me twice as much of the same.