Holy cow, ladies. 2021 is coming to a close and (lordy be!) have we been on a learning curve of epic proportions this past year. Not just starting this podcast, but about life, work, friendship, family, mental health, boundaries, communication and ALL the things.

In this, our last episode of 2021, we’re looking back at what we got right, and maybe a little of what we might have gotten wrong, so we can look forward to what’s next.

So, grab a spiked hot chocolate or a sparkling, bubbly spritzer and join us as we glance in the review mirror before we stomp our high-heeled feet down on the accelerator and roar into 2022.

Cheryl’s Sparkling Pomegranate Cocktail

• 1 ½ cup pomegranate juice
• 1 bottle sparkling wine, I like Prosecco
• Mulled raspberry’s as garnish

Stasha’s Peppermint Chocolat Choad with Chocolate Liqueur

• Whole Milk (I use Publix lactose free organic)
• 2 TBSP Petite Maison’s Peppermint Chocolat Chaud
• 1 Oz Godiva Dark Chocolate Liqueur

Heat milk on stovetop, NOT in the microwave.

Put 2 TBSP Chocolate Chaud in a mug then add a small amount of heated milk. Stir until all powder is emulsified. Add remaining hot milk. Stir. Add chocolate liqueur. Stir.

OUR NOTES FOR THIS EPISODE

CHERYL’S DISCUSSION NOTES

1. I’ve learned more about myself and how to change my interactions with others.
2. I’ve learned more about mental health, relationship, and prioritizing myself.
3. I’ve learned more about podcasts and social media.
4. I’ve learned more about my friendship with Stasha and how my actions impacted that friendship.
5. I’ve had to revisit my childhood and examine how I grew up and choices I made and why.
6. I’ve grown stronger as Cheryl and in standing up for myself in my marriage.

STASHA’S DISCUSSION NOTES

1. Creating a podcast: production (easy), promote, market (not so easy), monetize (not started) BECAUSE:
   1. There’s a LOT to learn, especially at our age (THANK YOU Steve Dotto!)
   2. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9BqPtCcSyHvQsbl2rumM4w
   3. https://dottotech.com/
2. You HAVE to learn. You have to DECIDE you WANT to learn. You have to agree that you WILL learn. You HAVE to get over any fear or hesitancy about learning NEW THINGS.
3. Priorities: Not just me, but EVERYONE involved, especially any partners
4. Covid’s impact on our business:
   1. Forced pause. Forced reset. I determined that I don’t want to keep doing what I was doing the way I was doing it.
   2. Mike’s reset. He is returning to something very important to him.
5. Covid’s impact on our lives:
   1. I am a people person (not exactly news) AND I want to spend my time with people who are like me. Growing, enthusiastic, excited to learn,
   2. (Friendship episode: I missed the rich tapestry of acquaintances, local friends, good friends, etc.)
6. I have something very valuable to share with people. Now have to focus and decide how to best move forward.

Have you ever sat at a 4-way stop with folks who can't figure out who goes next? Have you played a game with someone who doesn't, or worse, won't learn the rules? Have you witnessed the chaos and rage that happens when people didn't know, or refuse to follow, the simple rules of standing in line to check out at a store or enter a concert venue? ⁠

Maddening madness. Anarchy. Mayhem. ⁠

All of which is avoided when everyone knows the rules and follows them.⁠

And that's all etiquette is, folks. A simple, agreed-upon set of rules and guidelines that keep everyone on an even keel, knowing what to do and when.⁠

"But, but don't these rules make the stressful holiday season harder?" No, the same way the rules of 4-way stops and roundabouts make them better than everyone just deciding when they want to go makes driving harder.⁠

"Why can't I just do what I want?!" Because other people exist, that's why. Because they have to plan too. It's the same reason you don't get to make up all the rules for Monopoly while you're playing the game. Some rules may make it harder, but all the players know what they are. ⁠

Knowing holiday etiquette makes your life easier, not harder. Following holiday etiquette makes other people's lives easier, not harder. It adds peace to what can be a chaotic time of year.⁠

And isn't that part of what the season of love, joy, and giving is all about? Give the gift of peace, both to yourself and to everyone else.

You can’t scroll for half a hot second and not see some pithy plea to practice gratitude. Usually, this type of thing makes us a bit nuts but this is perhaps the only exception to that rule.

Gratitude IS the bomb-diggity. It is the shizzle. The juice. And it's because it works.

Grateful to, grateful for, grateful because, grateful in spite of, whatever you choose, it doesn’t matter. Because as soon as you think it, say it or write it, your life—including your health and your relationships—instantly gets better.

Whether it's your life, your kids, your spouse, your pets, your time, your home, your family, your whatever, developing the skill to think of those things—especially in those moments when they might not be at their best—is one of the best mental habits you can create.

So, sit back, grab a glass of something yummy, and soak in a conversation about all the wonderful whys and ways to up your gratitude game.