Every now and then, we hear stories about communities digging up old time capsules from fifty or even hundreds of years before. And I am always interested in learning what they’ve found. Like a couple of years ago, they dug up a time capsule in Boston that was buried in 1795 by Paul Revere and Sam Adams. Inside they found coins, a few newspapers and a Massachusetts commonwealth seal. This was what they wanted the people of the future to know about them. This was how they told us what was important in 1795.

These stories always make me wonder what I would put in a time capsule for the people of the future to know about us. And the truth is, I am not entirely sure. There are serious things happening in our world, and I don’t know what objects I would use to explain them. But, if I was to share the great things about 2017, I would probably include some of the following.

Here is my list of Things I loved in 2017:

TV:

This Is Us: This show gives me all the feels. Randall and Beth—and their marriage—makes me smile all the time. Kate’s strength to keep persevering, despite loss and setbacks, is inspiring. And Kevin’s journey of both self-discovery and coming to terms with his dad’s death feels authentic. I am so thankful for a show where the writers are giving us characters with real struggles who are doing their best to overcome.

Grey”s Anatomy (Spoiler Alert): I have been watching it from the beginning, and every time I am about to give it up—they do something that hooks me again. This season it was bringing Owen’s sister—who had been pronounced MIA in Iraq—back to the states, after being found in captivity. Add in a guest appearance by Teddy, Owen’s old friend and flame, and they shook up all the storylines in all the right ways.

Podcasts:

The Next Right Thing with Emily P. Freeman: in this show, Emily’s goal is to help people make their next right decision. Each time she shares a story or a thought, followed by an exercise to help the listener clarify what they need—and need to do—in their current season. Each episode is short (under twenty minutes), and a great opportunity to take a break from the busyness of life, and reflect on what is most important for us in this season.

For The Love  with Jen Hatmaker: I can’t decide if Jen Hatmaker is a better speaker, writer, or podcast host—her humor and love for her audience translates so well in all three. But launching her show earlier this summer, Jen showed us that she also has a great sense of what and who her audience wants and needs to hear from. By inviting stellar guests to her show (i.e. Brene Brown, Shauna Niequist, Whole 30’s Melissa Harwig, etc.), and grouping episodes by topics we all want more of (friendship, Moxie, food), she has made her podcast a weekly must-listen for me.

Lead Stories: In a world where leadership has historically been defined by men, it is so refreshing to listen to a podcast by two strong women leaders. On this show, Jo Saxton and Steph O’brien continuously choose topics that are crucial to successful and sustainable leadership. This past fall’s series, “Lead On,” all on leading through anxious times, is timely and a great listen no matter where you are in your leadership.

Movies:

Hidden Figures: How often do we see women in movies as the heroes? How often do we see them using their intelligence rather than their bodies? And how often are those smart, incredible heroines not white? Telling the true story of three phenomenal African American women working at Nasa as the brains behind our country’s first space launches, Hidden Figures points out the truth about African American women, and women in general. We are smart, gifted, and strong. And we are doing things in this world that matter. So it is time Hollywood caught up.

Lion: Based on a true story, Lion is about how a little boy in India ended up separated from his family, taken to the other side of the country, and then adopted by a family from Australia. But it is also about how years later, he found his way back. It is a gripping movie about identity and the relationship between mother and child.

Books:

See this post

Recipes/Food:

Against All Grain’s Real Deal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Sweet Potato noodles with Chorizo, spinach, and roasted red peppers

What did you love in 2017?

 

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Photo by Brigitte Tohm on Unsplash