It's the New Year and the end of an old decade and the beginning of a new one. It's an exciting time for us -and a time of change! I have a tradition that in my New Year's column I asked a question of my friends and new people that have crossed my path during the past year. This year's New Year's question is “What was the single greatest lesson for you in the past year and what did it teach you?” Here are the last thoughts of the decade!

“To help understand better what life lessons I learned this year I'm going to back up a minute and start from the beginning. I work in politics. I absolutely love my job....but it's not my dream job. So, for the past 2 years I've dabbled at my dream job: photography. This past year, 2019, was the year I put in my most earnest effort into propelling myself further in this direction. This is what I've learned:

1. If I'm thinking it or questioning it, someone else is also thinking or questioning it, SO SPEAK UP! Say it or ask it! (Such a grade school lesson! But I live by this now)

2. Force yourself to be assertive! I wouldn't have had the opportunities I've had this past year if I wasn't assertive and put myself out there.

3. Uncomfortable situations- roll with them! I would have gained nothing by staying in my comfort zone.

4. Be confident. So many times, I was unsure of my product or skill level that it was so hard to go through with a show or a photoshoot job, but I did anyway... sometimes cringing. The end result was always positive, and well received than I originally expected. And most times generated more work, jobs, sales, or shows!

5. And finally I've learned to give up my fear of what other people think. These other people aren't doing what I'm doing. Unless they are in the same arena as me... chasing the same dream.... putting forth the same effort...but they aren't, they are observers and if I lived by what everyone else thought, well, I would have never made it this far. I live everyday solidly by 2 quotes:

- Success is my only (expletive) option, failure's not (Eminem)

- “Nothing bad ever comes from doing the right thing (me)”

Suzanne Edzenga of Glen Spey is a devoted wife and mother to three lovely daughters, Deputy Chief of Staff for Assemblyman Karl Brabenec, and an extraordinary photographer and lecturer with a rapidly growing fan base.

You can see Suzanne's remarkable photography on Facebook at Suzanne Edzenga Photography.

“There are many lessons that I could think of because life itself is a continuous learning experience. The one lesson that stands out the most to me is to always stand by my principles. This taught me that I as a woman, I am in control of my life, and I will always stand firm in my beliefs and not let anyone influence or change me.”

My longtime friend and animal activist, Laryssa Salak of Lumberland

“If there is one thing that I can honestly say I've learned from this past year, it would be to look myself in the eye. I know, it sounds cliché; but this was the year where I finally learned how I should be seeing myself. For too long, I'd looked in the mirror and seen a completed product. I'd been using myself as a basis by which I compared against friends, neighbors, coworkers, etc., I did not realize how stunted of a person that made me. Until now, I'd failed to see that I am -- and we all, in fact, are -- a process. We're human. There is no such thing as a “completed product.”

For too long I'd look in the mirror and depreciate the product, but 2019 taught me to look myself in the eye and instead appreciate the process; and for that my eyes have been opened to many new opportunities. For that, I have become so much less afraid to do so many things; most notably: trying.”

Mark Blackford was born in Sullivan County and is the first ever Sullivan County Poet Laureate. Mark holds poetry readings throughout the County and is the Sullivan Public Library Alliance's ambassador and leading voice for encouraging the appreciation of reading and writing poetry.

Thank you for reading this column and hopefully finding something interesting to think about or a community event to attend. Thank you also to everyone who took the time to be interviewed and photographed and my apologies to those I hounded for information. Happy New Year everyone and may you find the strength to take a risk, have your hand always stretched out in good will and 2020 be your best year ever!

A very special New Year's “hat tip” and my appreciation goes to my charming editor Joe Abraham for his understanding, unfailing steady hand and gracias for always being in my corner.