The holiday season, capped by the celebration of the upcoming new year, is traditionally a time of reflection, a time to refresh the inventory of memories and to develop categories, themes and lessons from the variety of activities throughout the year.

As we develop these thoughts on an individual level, we reach out to share ourselves with all the people that touch our lives- friends, family, colleagues, acquaintances. We tell the story of our year, using our accomplishments, failures, vacations, promotions, moves, momentous occasions, etc., as ways to illuminate our lives. In addition to the personal (or non-personal) greeting cards, the mass-mailed year-end summary letter becomes our way of sharing to our greater circle.

And yet, I wonder. How much information do we really want to share with everybody? In our mess of overlapping circles of friends, experiences, memories, and secrets, who do we tell what? Do we "spin" our lives in trying to find the "right" thing to say to everyone? Do we leave out much of the true thoughts and experiences that mean so much to us?

And in doing so, we cheapen the very experience of sharing ourselves.

So consider this a call to arms to be open, thoughtful and caring to everyone in our lives. We should not be afraid to speak our minds, for we might be surprised by the learning and growth we have to give each other.

Now, coming from me, that probably sounds odd. I know. But consider it an acknowledgment of a fault to fix on my part. So, to end 2005, I recap with four pictures, questions, and thoughts. Enjoy, contemplate, react and share. Ending a happy 2005, and looking forward to a great 2006...

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