Saying Goodbye to 2015

Image @ happynewyeartoyou.com

This has been a whacky koo koo year full of unexpected things but really that's true of just about all of them, or at least most of the forty-six I've experienced. I paced the deck earlier in an attempt to collect my thoughts about things this year that stand out the most. My mind, however, decided it wanted a simpler approach, spitting out snippets of lessons it wanted me to remember as I head into the new year. Here they are in the order they pop into my brain...

*When you harm someone or something, make amends.
*Never put your power into the hands of another, no matter how wonderful or capable they seem.
*Don't be ashamed of anything that makes you truly happy, but remember your actions don't just affect you.
*Kindness is never wasted, even when it's not appreciated.
*Love with all you have, knowing that often that's going to hurt. It's still worth it.
*Follow your own path, even when it means leaving some you love behind. It's okay if they don't stay on the entire journey with you. Remember, they too have a path they must follow.
*Do not allow yourself to become complacent. We are, after all, here to do much more than just work, eat, sleep & die.
*Who you are matters, even if you are the only one who knows this absolute truth.
*Strive to achieve the "best you" possible. It feels good to grow even when it hurts, and your soul will thank you.
*Everyone has done things they are ashamed of. This is part of the human condition. Don't allow your mistakes to dim your self-worth (...this one is really hard for me, just typing it makes me cry).
*Never stop dreaming, star-gazing, being silly, or dancing.
*No dream is unattainable, but ALL dreams come with a price tag. Be prepared to pay for the cost your dreams will exact.
*What you put "out" into the world will ALWAYS come back to you.
*Time stops for no one...so remember to live right now because the clock is ever ticking.
*Happiness is a choice, not a destination and no one can create or choose it for you but you.
*You have this one life, this one day, this one moment...what are you going to do with it? (..a question I think I should be asking myself every single day)
*Forever is not as long as you think, and love is the only thing in this life that matters (i.e. love of life, love of the Earth, love of self, and love of others).

And finally, I want to say...thank you all for coming with me on this journey! I can't even express how much I love having you with me every step of the way!

May your 2016 be filled with magical things!

Love,
A.

31 December 2015