What word did you choose and why?

Invested

I chose the word invested. I want to be intentional with where I spend my time and who I spend it with. I want to be intentional about how I spend my money. I aim to be very present and invested in each moment as it comes.

This year, I chose the word Invested. I want to really be intentional with my time: where I spend it and who I spend it with. I want to be able to stay present in the moment, whether I’m with my loved ones or at work. I’m adjusting my schedule to accommodate that goal, and setting aside special time to spend with my mother and also with my daughter. I’m working hard to show my daughter that she can do hard things too, even when it’s scary. I hope she doesn’t forget how to be an advocate for herself. She is a brilliant young lady who can stand on her own two feet and take care of business on her own.

If you could go back and talk to a younger version of yourself, what would you say?

I took a leap of faith a couple years ago and changed careers. I walked away from a 20-year career of teaching kids, and now I teach physicians. I’m still making a difference, just with a different demographic. If I could go back and talk to myself right before I made this change, I’d tell Elizabeth to be patient. This change is scary and it’s hard and you don’t know what you’re doing, but you will. You will make a difference. Just be patient and don’t give in to this world’s expectancy of instant gratification.