As I continue to exercise a growth mindset towards having a leading orientation to what happens in my life, I recognize the importance of making note of what I’ve accomplished during 2015. And hold gratitude for the new experiences, insights and ah-ha moments that I encountered over the course of the year. These are in no particular order and simply wanted to note these here to serve as a reminder of everything that I hold in gratitude.

Accomplishments and Celebrations

• I attended Crispus Attucks’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast at Franklin and Marshall College.
• My oldest daughter enjoys playing basketball for her school team so me and the family went to a Temple University’s women’s basketball game.
• I attended the NAACP Lancaster Chapter annual banquet.
• I volunteered as a judge for the annual Latin American Cultural Center Poetry Contest
• I facilitated a town hall meeting with various school community members from Resurrection Catholic School.
• I attended the Leadership Lancaster Executive Series Graduation.
• I attended the annual Latino Empowerment Project Graduation which was held at the Candy Factory.
• My wife and I had the chance to see John Legend perform at the Lancaster Marriott Convention Center for the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and Industry annual event
• I attended the Lancaster County Community Foundation annual gathering at the Lancaster Hotel.
• Attended a reception welcoming the new Superintendent for the School District of Lancaster, Dr. Damaris Rau
• I served as a panelist for a discussion about Latinos in Lancaster County.

New Experiences

• I facilitated my first board development retreat for the Resurrection Catholic School Board.
• I was invited to be on the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force for the Lancaster County Community Foundation and for Leadership Lancaster.
• I Interviewed for adjunct teaching position at Millersville University.
• I participated as a member of the CEO Search Committee for the Girls Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania.
• I attended the inaugural Equity Exchange Summer Institute in St. Louis, MO.
• Since leaving my former profession, I’ve been enjoying the role of domestic for my family.
• How could I forget this website! My stab at learning how to use Word Press and learn about the different features is still a work in progress.
• I facilitated a workshop on courageous conversations at the Pennsylvania Association for Non-profit Organizations Annual Conference.
• I taught a college course for the first time.
• I met Dr. Heather Hackman at a Social Justice Retreat organized by a good friend.
• I served as facilitator for the Latino Affinity Group at the National Association of Independent School’s Annual People of Color Conference.
• I had the opportunity to participate in a Master Class with Dr. Mazahrin Banaji who wrote Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People.

Ah-ha Moments

• I was introduced to Mr. Seligman’s concept PERMA (Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning and Purpose, Accomplishments) during the first session of the Equity Exchange.
• I learned about the Intercultural Development Inventory.
• Now that I have a developed Personal Mission Statement, I have an easier time directing my focus and energy.
• There were several moments this year where I had to confront my on biases and prejudices in certain situations and grapple with where those came from.
• Daily meditative journaling has helped immensely!
• Adding another facet of my identity as a grandfather when my son and his wife welcome twin boys in April!

I have to say that 2015 has been quite a transformational year for me. I look forward to what 2016 will bring!