It's been a full year now since my husband died suddenly. We were two weeks away from celebrating our 15th Anniversary, and we made plans to 'do it up royal.' Ceremony, food, and dancing. Losing him was devastating. I was so shaken, it was often hard to recognize myself. Things I had previously been able to rely on myself for—staunch independence, self-assurance, flex and resilience—felt out of my grasp. Those around me told me I was doing well, sometimes even magnificently, but inside I felt uncertain and afraid. But even from the very beginning, I told myself, "Pay attention to it all... this journey is going to teach you things you would never learn any other way... don't miss a thing."

This year of business has been challenging for companies all over the globe. I was blessed to have several clients who wanted and needed my skills. This served to keep me focused—a true Godsend-and to keep me sharp, developing myself professionally to meet the ever more complex needs of companies. The truths and lessons I was learning on my personal journey were weaving their way into my business practice regularly.

Tenacity. The sheer will power it takes to put one foot in front of the other is golden in today's competitive business environment. People in today's economy express disappointment, disillusionment, even despair as they are downsized, sold, sold again, or put out of business entirely. Having the resolve to learn the lessons intended when all hell breaks loose pays off in much greater dividends. The clients who are determined to accept what is and then take steps to create and contribute to the next adventure are the ones who experience the advantages of persistence.

Hold to Neutral. This is one's ability to recognize and admit "I don't know." What a sacred and creative place this is. It is a place of stillness where one does not decide or feel anything in one direction or another. It is a time to be fully alert and purposefully quiet. Listening ever so deeply to the intuitive wisdom that lies within, allowing it to surface in your state of not knowing. There is a need for caution here, for it is deeply rooted in our collective unconscious to "know." Therefore, holding to this place of not knowing requires uncommon discipline.

Learn to Receive. Our strengths and unique skills are better utilized by self and others when we surrender to the fact that everyone needs help from time to time. People get accustomed to being good at things, and they like the feeling of accomplishing things on their own. While some of this is essential as businesses cut back resources but keep performance demands high, it pays to allow others to lend a hand, and perhaps more importantly, to ask for help. Receiving input, assistance, and creative questions (some call this 'push back') adds immeasurably to the quality of output and the texture of our lives.

Appreciate! Griping and complaining has its own pull. But there's little or no long-term value. There may be plenty to carp about (and you could probably find a jury of your peers to back you) but ultimately, it only brings you and all those around you down. There is much to appreciate when we look for it, even if at times it takes some serious looking! But, when we activate a sincere feeling of appreciation, it changes everything. Perspective, attitude, responses, creativity, and outcomes all change in the presence of appreciation. It doesn't make everything magically perfect—there are still hurdles to climb over—but the terrain along the way looks brighter, and there just may be some wondrous discoveries that show up in the light of appreciation.

These are but a few of the lessons I have integrated this year and applied wherever I could. There is an intricate thread that ties our personal and professional lives together. I have found that keeping the doors open between these two worlds, adds to the wealth and wonder of both, and makes one's life more whole.