Photo by Michael Skok on UnsplashAs the year comes to an end, it is natural to look back on the past year. For me, and I am sure for many, the year I thought it would have and the year it was were very different. I started the year as most of us do, full of promise and optimism but life has a way of delivering surprises we never saw coming. The sudden loss of a parent due to cancer, career challenges and changes, goals set for the future achieved before I expected and many highs as well as lows. The reality is that no matter how well we plan or prepare life…