My 2011 Obituary

I write this, not in a morbid sense, but in an honest effort to put my past behind and embrace the 2012 with open arms! 

It was while on a walk that I thought about this.  Why we use the new year to do this and don't do it on an as need basis, I haven't quite figured out....So here I go, my 2011 obituary.

This year was a year of learning--not just in an academic sense but all encompasing.  Not to sound cliche, but it was a year of ups and downs.  A year of blessing, triumphs, hardships, sadness, and failure--all which led to a better version of myself.

Above all, this has been a year of growth and that's how I will always remember it.  Not for the loss of a loved one, the loss of 45 more lbs, the failures academically, the nuptuals of my best friends, the engagement of another, the official purchase of my first car, the accident which led me to that, and so on....

This year will here lie, always and forever, as the year of growth.

  2012, I look forward to the new adventures you have in store for me.  Tonight I lay to rest 2011, to wake up to not only a new day but a new year.  We get the opporunity but once a year.  Take advantage of it--wake up refreshed, not hung over.  Make promises/committments to yourself, not resolutions (which tend to fizzle out before the end of the first month).  Allow yourself to look ahead at the possibilities not behind to what you cannot change.  Be open to what the universe has in store for you, not close hearted. 

Happy 2012--New Year, New YOU! 



Don't miss 2012

Sitting here at the airport during the holiday season reminds me of time passing. People hurry along and in here that seems like that's all that happens. But when you stop hurrying yourself and observe your surroundings, you'll notice a lot more--a mother seeing her son off to deployment, a child on its first trip, a mourning soul in town for family, business people trying to jumpstart our economy, a young couple taking that next step....

Life happens here.  The lighting and walls may not change much but a lot of change happens here. If you just stop to take a look, you'll see what you are missing.

What have you missed today, this week, this month, or even this year--doesnt it feel like we just started 2011?  Newsflash--2012 is banging on the door!!  That being said (fr someone who doesn't make new years resolutions) what are you doing this year?  What's happening right now that will influence your 2012 life goals?

Stop and reflect--if this isnt something you normally do it may feel awkward or weird but once you really try, you'll find great reward in doing this. Just stop. That's all it really takes. Stop running around and just observe--yourself and the world/life happening around you.   You may be surprised to see how much you are missing.  Don't analyze, just observe. If you need a focus to quiet your stirring mind--focus on your breathing.  I'm not saying you need to close your eyes and "OM". Just use your breath as something to focus on to really stop--most of us criticize children for not being able to sit still but we cant do that as adults!

So if I can influence your 2012 in one way, I hope it's this....stop and take in all the life happening around you, reflect once in a while on what you observe, and be grateful for the blessings you find in it all.

I hope you all had a healthy and blessed 2011--I wish you all the best for 2012!!

Happy, Safe & Healthy New Year!!

Good night 29, Good Morning to 30

Tonight I say good night to 29, to wake up to my first (of many, I hope) good morning to 30!

The past week has been a mix of emotions for me.  Two pieces of AMAZING good news from two very dear friends, another holiday without my mom, frustration of being in a car accident on Black Friday, hope/faith from a new book, the heartache of not being able to celebrate my big birthday with two very special people.... At the end of the day, week, month....gratitude for being able to sit here and type this on the eve of my 30th birthday. 

I started the celebration by treating my closet/nearest/dearest women in my life to a spa day. Later that night I was (happily, to a degree) the fifth wheel at a fabulous dinner with my sister, brother-in-law, my best friend, and her fiance!  I woke up to coffee with my dad to recap the day's events and ended a productive day with a lovely invite for dinner from family.  I'm spending the birthday just how I imagined--surrounded by loved ones and happy by treating others to something nice. 

I'm someone numb though.  I feel blessed to be here doing all this with all these wonderful people.  And yet some part of me feels numb.  30 was one of those birthdays you imagine hitting one day but don't really realize you got there until it's starring you in the face!  At least that's how it happened for me.  We make plans with big accomplishments and milestones to have hit by this point, but we can only plan life to an extent.  I never planned to be unemployed for a year, to be in a long distance relationship, to be in school, to be here without my mom to celebrate with....but to the same point, I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be--in accordance with God's plan.  That's something I can and do appreciate, accept, understand.

I'm grateful for my first 30 years of my life and excited for the nest 30!  So good night 29...