Are you looking for something meaningful to do at the start of your 2017?

I wrote a post, 6 Ideas for 2017 New Year's Resolutions, where I discussed how looking back at the highlights of your 2016 could be a good exercise to discover what you want to bring into your 2017.

You've heard, "don't look back; keep your eyes forward." I say...maybe that's not altogether good advice. 

Why?

Sometimes looking back can be good.

When you can identify the things that made your heart leap or made your whole body smile over this past year, you can begin to trace the lines back to your deepest values. 

When you scan your past for the most fulfilling moments, perhaps you'll find clues to the things you're most passionate about.

What about #2016BestNine? 

#2016BestNine is Instagram's complation of your most popular images. It's a fun recap, but it's meaningful for one reason: others really liked these images. 

Your most liked images may or may not have been memorable for you. It's not the number of likes that will determine your happiest moments, or what you felt most passionate about.

So, I thought I'd share my 2016 highlights with you so we could see this exercise in practice. Maybe you can help me uncover the things that matter most to me.

As I'm setting a vision for my 2017, I want those values and passions to be my guiding posts.

#10

#9

My family invaded Nashville this year, and I got to be a tourist in my hometown. There's nothing like laughing with your family. Y'all...nothing. 

#8 

I got to see SXSW in Austin, TX, this year, in all of its freakish, techie glory. There was so much to see, so many places to explore. I liked being in a sea of ideation and courageous risk-takers.

#7

My sister and I took our families on a joint camping trip this spring. We camped right along the banks of this lake with kayaks and our dogs. It was in this spot that I discovered that water makes my soul happy. 

#6

I drove with my mom across the country this year, as she moved from Arizona to Tennessee. We decided to make an impromptu pit stop in Vegas to stay a night and see the Jersey Boys!

#5

I saw a few folks in concert this year--Matt Nathanson, Carrie Underwood, and James Bay. I loved this night, sitting under the stars with my bare feet in the evening grass, while music filled my head with crazy dreams.

#4

It was the first time I visited Chicago--in the summer. I especially loved this trip because all three of my kids were able to make it. For a week, the kids adventured right alongside of me, discovering the beauty of serendipity in a new city. 

#3

My grandma turned 90 this year an the entire family was fortunate enough to go home with me to Hawaii. It was amazing to be back home with family to celebrate the lady who started all of it. Seeing the water everyday took my breath away and healed my heart.

#2

We went on a 10-day Regents Seven Seas Cruise from Athens, Greece, to Venice, Italy.  It was my first cruise and my first time exploring the Mediterranean coastline. Every day was a new view, new country, or amazing historic site. I felt like a real life explorer. I was also able to photograph phenomenal sights which made everyday a creative Heaven.

#1

 This moment was one of my favorites of 2016. We were sailing in the Mediterranean, unemployed and struggling to make ends meet. Yet, we were having a phenomenal experience that didn't seem to match up. It reminded me that life doesn't always make sense, and that in the midst of hopelessness, beauty can exist. 

See any common threads? What things seem to matter most in my life? I'd love if you would share them with me below.

If you're interested in doing this activity for yourself: 

• Go through your calendar to recap the year's activities. What did you do that you loved the most? Write those down.

• Go through your photos to recap your favorite photos. Save 10, and write what you loved about those moments. 

• Post the photos and your captions or let someone read through your 10 best moments.

• Ask folks what they see as common threads in your 10 favorite moments.