by Sherry L. Read

The rush into the holiday season as a western expatriate in Shanghai, doesn't feel quite the same. Christmas is but a commercial holiday here, though nonetheless a time to put up some decorations and lights. It is merely the beginning of an extended holiday season with multiple (and seemingly unending) New Year celebrations - first by the calendar, and then with the Lunar New Year. Finally, while Shanghai provides untold shopping opportunities - if you like silk, cashmere, Chinese antiques, 'fake' clothes, purses, etc - it is certainly more difficult to come up with the books, games, toys and clothes that would normally be found under our trees.

Nonetheless, it seems wise to reflect on 2006, long before the magazines are filled with articles on New Year's Resolutions and the habits of this year will likely follow us into the next.

To take charge of your expatriate life in 2007, consider using some of the following steps to evaluate 2006 and set goals based on your values for 2007.

END THE YEAR WITH GRATITUDE: Look back over the past year and identify what you are grateful for.
- What people came into your life?
- Who brought you joy?
- What learning experiences did you have as an expatriate?
- What challenges did you overcome and what new skills have you acquired?
- What choices did you make that were right for you?

CLEAN UP: Identify any events or experiences that hold a negative charge. Use one of the following techniques to begin the shift to neutral or positive
- If it's a loss, have you allowed yourself to grieve? Moving away from home and having friends move on to their destination are times of loss. Have you identified and acknowledged those things that are now missing from your life?
- If it was a challenging experience, can you identify what you have learned from it? What would you do differently if you could do it again? If a similar situation presents itself, how will you handle it?
- Can you look back and identify steps (big or small) that you have taken to move forward from the event? If you can, congratulate yourself on seeing ways to move on.
- What have you learned about yourself, the source of your emotions, what triggers you possess, effective and ineffective responses? How can you put this to use in 2007?

CREATE A BASELINE: Evaluate how 2006 has been and create a baseline for measuring personal change. Rate each area of your life on the scale of 0 to 10 (0 being completely dissatisfied, 10 being completely and fully satisfied). In your evaluation of satisfaction, consider all elements of this area:
- Is it working for you?
- Are you fulfilled in this area?
- Do you need more or less of this?

Now consider the wheel of the vehicle of your life. How smooth has your ride been?