“Give thanks for a little and you will find a lot.” –Hausa Proverb
Last year, someone asked me in an interview what I’d say to myself, from 10 years ago, if I could meet that person now. I said something along the lines of, “Be good to yourself—you’re doing the best you can.”
She then asked what I’d say to myself 50 years in the future, if I could meet that version of me now. I answered that, to that Lori, I would say, “Thank you.”
I realized after the fact that I thanked my 80 year old self because that version of me would have presumably done everything I wanted to do in this world, and using the wisdom I gave younger me, she would hopefully have done it being good to herself.
But I recognized that it was equally important to thank myself at each step of the way—regardless of what I did, and even when I stumbled. Why? Because I was doing the best I can, and that is something worth recognizing and appreciating, not just in hindsight, but right now.
This is the time of year when many of us look back at the 365 days past and measure how much we’ve accomplished—and then look into the next 365 to detail everything we’d like to achieve.
There’s nothing wrong with making goals; in fact, I’m a huge proponent. But as we go into the next year, I invite you to join me in thanking the “us” from 2011—not just for the things we’ve crossed off our to-do and bucket lists, but for all the courage, passion, strength, and just plain good-heartedness we demonstrated.
Here is my list of “Thank yous” to me:
- Thank you for growing a little every day.
- Thank you for forgiving yourself when you stumbled.
- Thank you for loving fully and vulnerably.
- Thank you for trying new things, even when you felt scared.
- Thank you for cutting yourself some slack when you did nothing because you were scared.
- Thank you for using the wisdom you gained, instead of just acquiring knowledge.
- Thank you for taking care of yourself, physically, mentally, and emotionally, more often than not.
- Thank you for loving yourself, regardless of what you achieved.
What would you thank the “2011 you” for?
Photo by pdxap
About Lori Deschene
Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha. She started the site after struggling with depression, bulimia, c-PTSD, and toxic shame so she could recycle her former pain into something useful and inspire others to do the same. You can find her books, including Tiny Buddha’s Gratitude Journal and Tiny Buddha’s Worry Journal, here and learn more about her eCourse, Recreate Your Life Story, if you’re ready to transform your life and become the person you want to be.
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Though I run this site, it is not mine. It's ours. It's not about me. It's about us. Your stories and your wisdom are just as meaningful as mine. 
[…] Lori Deschne of Tiny Buddha shares Tiny Wisdom: Thanking Your 2011 Self. […]
[…] of the newer posts (one I just read today) is about thanking yourself for things you did in 2011. So, instead of focusing only on the things you can improve in 2012 […]
Hi Lori,
I’m sending you a hug filled with energy for a spiritually rich, prosperous, and joyful 2012!
The things I would thank myself for during 2011 would be:
Give thanks for noticing two-thirds into the year that I was in a spiritual place where I was nearly bankrupt.
That I summoned the energy I didn’t feel I had to push forward and take the time to find out how and why I found myself there.
Once I came as close as I could in terms of answers, I took personal responsibiliy and began the what seemed like overwhelming task of setting things right.
I’m thankful that I saw the purpose in doing so, and received the insight into what I had been missing.
I’m thankful that I began appreciating myself and those around me in as many passing moments as possible.
I give thanks for starting to notice how precious those moments are.
I’m thankful that I remembered my purpose and realized it’s not about high and mighty things, rather it’s about bring the best me I can into my little world and contributing that best self in any given day.
Thanks should be offered for know that I matter and every one around me does too. I’ve come to know that everyone has their weak and tender spots and I can never know how some small thing I said or did contributed to their day.
I thankful to have remembered that I should tend to my own backyard before I take a rake to another’s.
I know there is much more but there isn’t enough room for it all here.
Finally, I’m thankful to know that I can’t fix all the suffering in the world, but I can work to make less of it in mine.
Thank you Lori for being who you are and sharing yourself with me via Tiny Buddha!
Sal
i thank me for making me laugh:)
This was wonderful, succinct, I resonated with each one of your “thank you’s”.
Thank you!
p.s. I’m thankful to me for reading this and loving myself through it…
p.p.s thank you for allowing me to blog last year, and for your patience. I know I haven’t been in touch recently but everything you are creating here is wonderful, and I’m sure we will talk very soon, you’re an awesome human being.
Have an an incredible Now, all the time 🙂 x
I am thankful for all I opened to this year… I am thankful for all that people have shared with me….and most importantly I am grateful and thankful for the ability to help people everyday, including myself
Thank you for this post, Lori! 🙂
My 2011 has been quite challenging, but has definitely changed my life in a positive way.
This is my list:
Thank you for being strong and not giving up, even though you had a tough time.
Thank you for being brave enough to change your life and creating some distance between your old friends and you.
Thank you for being able to show the love you have for your best friend/boyfriend/soulmate.
Thank you for realizing that life isn’t the way other see it, but what you make out of it.
Thank you for growing up some more and becoming a bit more mature.
Thank you for always trying to improve and become a better person.
Thank you for dreaming of a better future.
I want to thank you again, Lori, because this website has been a little but significant part of my progress.
I hope you all will have a wonderful new year! (:
I would thank 2011, for helping me identify what real love feels like.
I always thought I knew but it took 20+ years and I am thankful and happy <3
I thank myself for taking the time out in 2011 to recharge, and not seeing it as failure. I now feel ready to greet 2012 with renewed optimism and hope.
Thanking yourself. Thank YOU Lori for this fantastic idea.
I thank myself for being strong for our little girl this year when she had 2 major head surgeries!
I also thank myself for being a loving mum, and faithful and loving wife.
I’d like to start by thanking my daughter who reposted one of your quotes and brought me to the peaceful world of yours Lori … thank you for loving the world as you do.
My list :
2011 was a stressful and emotional year… I thank myself for finding the strength to handle each situation with dignity and grace.
-thank you for learning to meditate it literally has saved your life
-thank you for gaining the strength to separate yourself from the negative people in your life
-thank you for putting yourself out there to meet new positive people to be around
-thank u for forgiving yourself when you feel down and thank u for picking your self back up and brushing yourself off and saying “next”.
-thank u for going into 2012 with love for yourself and optimism … you can do this Kate!!!
That’s a great one!
Aww thank you! And thank you for being part of the community here. =)
You’re most welcome David! =)
Your little girl is lucky to have you. I hope she’s doing well!
You are most welcome. It sounds like you made some wonderful, positive choices in 2011. Wishing you a peaceful, healthy, happy 2012! =)
Thank ‘you’… for all the huge tiny things.
Wow Sal you have a powerful list here–and much of it inspired me to look within myself and do the same. I loved the part about tending to your own backyard first. Thank you for sharing this!
That’s beautiful Anne. =)
What a wonderful way to go into the New Year. =)
I love what you wrote about the ability to help people. Thank you for reminding me of one more wonderful thing to be grateful for!
You’re most welcome, and thank you for sharing a little of yourself here. Your list inspired me to add some to mine–particularly the part about life being what you make of it. Happy New Year! =)
Thank you for always trying your best
Thank you for continuing to seek knowledge and expand
Thank you for accepting and loving all people
Thank you for being open and honest
Thank you for your passion and determination…it will all happen in perfect time, in the perfect way. Just be patient and trust, my sweet girl.
I’m tearing up at these beautiful, honest answers! <3
I would thank "2011 me" for choosing to stop being so mean to herself.
I thank myself for accidently finding this site.
I thank myself to be able to put my foot down when I see situations going ugly and painful.
I thank God for giving me strength to be able to forgive and forget.
Indeed! I’m extremely grateful for all that happened to me this year – all the ups and downs were worth it. Here is to more growth and flourishing in the future.
Thank you Julie Lombardo for making ME laugh when I read your comment because I can totally relate. We can take ourselves so seriously, …and that’s usually when we’re the most humorous.
Thank you Lori Deschene for this WONDERFUL blog!
Wishing you all light, laughter and love in 2012!
Elizabeth Rose
http://www.diamondlantern.com
You’re most welcome Elizabeth. Happy 2012! =)
I thank myself for being strong and courageous. I thank for being kind and gentle to myself. I thank for taking good care of myself, physically as well as mentally.