The Final Journey of 2015

In a few short days,

I'll be looking up at a whole new set of stars.

Piecing together constellations in the southern hemisphere,

staring at the sky from a different corner of the world, 

in awe.

A full moon. 

On Christmas. 

I can think of few better ways 

to celebrate the end of the year,

and the beginning of a new one.

I'll be splashing around on the shores of Australia, 

awaiting news from home on the arrival 

of my niece or nephew.

And with that,

It will have been a year

 that feels complete.

There were moments so joyful,

I wanted to call in the trumpeters 

and pound on a snare drum

and dance until the tread on my shoes wore thin! 

And yes, there were times during which 

the noises of day were replaced

with a sterile silence.

Sometimes, that's just the way a day goes. 

And you know. That's okay. 

I learned that in order to welcome in the new:

new love, new friends, 

new growth, new appreciations;

you have to make space by 

emptying out the stuff that doesn't 

fill you up anymore.

After all, what good is a heart that has

 reached maximum capacity, 

if the existing thoughts and feelings 

inhabiting it are stale?

There's just no time for that.

Make the space for a full heart. 

xo

A Wish, For You.

Tonight at sundown, marked the holiest of holidays in Judaism.

It is a day about saying you are sorry. 

And asking for forgiveness. 

Sorry in itself is such a small word, 

but it has such a big impact. 

Just think about all of the little hurts we carry around;

the weight of them on our hearts when piled up.

Many of these could likely have been eliminated 

if a simple "I'm sorry" had been extended.

I was raised in a loving, liberal home, 

in which my parents shared traditions

from both their religious backgrounds.

Beliefs and rituals weren't pressed on us.

We weren't a church or synagogue family. 

In truth, I identify more closely 

with my exposure to Unitarianism,

but there is something about this day in particular 

that I find really meaningful. 

You don't have to be religious at all

to reflect upon your actions of the past

and to be mindful 

to make everything right in your world -

if only for the day. 

And that goes both ways. 

Today is about looking inward more so than out.

This is a powerful exercise - 

and one that I find very rewarding. 

And so...

As my dad wished to me, 

I wish for all of you:

Happiness, health and love. 

xo

Winter Solstice Wishes

Today, the sun dips to it's lowest point in the sky,

giving us a delayed dawn and an early sunset.

Happy Winter Solstice. 

From here on out, every day moving forward will be a bit brighter. 

In a few short days, I'll have my feet in the sand 

and my face towards the sun.

Christmas spent by the Caribbean Sea.

I. Can't. Wait.

I'm appreciative of the growth and 

self awareness the past 12 months brought,

but am very much forward facing to the New Year. 

As I consider this past year,

I was encouraged and inspired by most.

Loved and supported by many.
Disappointed by few.

I'm content with that breakdown. 

I don't typically count blessings.

I am more of a 'thank my lucky stars' type of gal. 

So ultimately, I send 2014 off with a kiss and a fond goodbye.

And as we usher in 2015, 

I will look up towards a sky full of big, bright, beautiful stars. 

I wish the very same for each and all of you. 

xo

A Year. In Review.

It will be a quiet close to a relatively quiet year.
Some years are packed with adventures, some are a bit more calm.
2013 was on the calmer side of the spectrum. 

Sure, there are some things I would've done differently. 

The usual things, mostly.

I meant to read more books,
and spend less time in front of the computer.

I didn't ride my bike as much as I daydreamed about, 

or keep as many appointments at the gym that I intended too. 

I continued to throw out dishes that I didn't feel like washing when they piled up. 

Probably should have flossed more regularly also.
The good news is, those are all habits that can be remedied
once I throw them on the ol' resolutions list.
 And for the instances that I had less control over,
the unexpected loss of a job,
the unimaginable compromise of a friend's safety,

the hanging around,waiting too long for someone to realize how amazing I thought they were... 

to realize, how amazing they think I am...

Those situations made my heart ache.

But then,
there were the moments that caused it to swell.
I swam in a lot of rivers,
and I hiked a whole bunch of mountains.
I hugged the biggest redwood tree I ever saw,
counted endless shooting stars as they streaked the night sky.
I got a new job, representing a company that I love.
I danced to some really good music.
I made some new friends, and I tried some new foods.
I saw my first bald eagle circle above me on a crisp fall day.
 I watched my hard work unfold as an entire city and all of it's citizens
came together for the ultimate act of kindness,
in helping a little boy's wish come true.
And so it is.
I'll plot more adventures for 2014,
but I chalk this year up to being 'pretty darn good.'
Happy Christmas.
Happy year end, friends.
xo

On Resolutions

It’s been a while since I shared a tale or two. 

My, how quickly the back half of the year seemed to go.

In an instant, confetti and noise makers signaled a New Year.   

And just like that, we were all granted the chance at a do-over. 

I love the act of making resolutions.

There is something methodical and calming about listing out the actions we pledge to carry out. 

Those that will make us, maybe, a little bit kinder, or a little bit stronger.

 And while some of my resolutions are only for me, too delicate and special to share,  below are a handful of behaviors I would like to enhance in 2013.   

Here’s to continuing to do the things that you give you pleasure with the people that bring you joy.

Happy New Year, my friends.

Speak soon.

xo

image is my own; New Year's Day sunrise

• To drink more green and to read more books.
• To write more letters. And, when asking how someone is feeling, really listen to their answer.
• To recommit to cooking my meals and understanding where the foods I nourish my body with come from.
• To plan at least one epic and awesome adventure this year. Anyone for rafting the Colorado?
• To be mindful that skipping on some ‘spends’ so that I can contribute to a rainy day fund will be the best investment in myself that I make.
• To remember the feeling I have when I run. The fresh, cold air against my face, and how my legs feel strong and my heart feels fierce. To remember that feeling often, and to act on it.
• To be aware of the people around me, and when they might need a gentle nudge, a nurturing hug, or a celebratory high-five.    

Hello, January

Holy smokes, folks! 

It's been a while, I realize that. 

Are you settling into this new year comfortably?
I hope so. 

November and December were quitethe grand finale
of our year gone by.

I ushered in 2012 guns a' blazing.

And although I didn't say my final goodbye to 2011 quietly, 

I released the past with a respectful tip of my hat.

My weeks back east were the perfect balance of calm and chaos.

image is my own

Of late nights spent laughing with old friends,

and meals shared at home by candlelight.

Of donkey neighing and hawk sightings, nature walks and old high school track runs.

The perfect storm of past meets present.

Oh, but it's true. I love a new year. 

New pledges and promises.

 There's something so romantic about writing out our resolutions.

And I quite like qualifying my traditions.

 So far, the freshness of January is proving to be most agreeable.

I hope the same rings true for all of you! 

xo

New Beginnings, and a Pause

I'm taking a pause,

to collect my thoughts

and embrace the new beginnings 

of a fresh year. 

 image

Back soon.

Happy New Year, friends.

xo