The past few days have brought some very sad news as I
learned that a friend/co-worker from my younger years in Maine passed
away. He was a year younger than I and left this
world, his three children and loved ones much too soon.
Tonight is the last day of 2013 and its natural to look
back, reflect and anticipate hope for what lies ahead. As I sit here and reflect on the past year for
myself and my friends, I must embrace that 2013 had its share of joys and
sorrows, which will never leave us. And
as some of us rush to usher out a year that has held struggles and sorrow, we
must acknowledge that although the page turns and a new chapter begins the past
is still a pivotal part of our whole story.
We cannot help but be shaped by the past, and sometimes the bad seems to greatly outweigh the good. These experiences are burrowed deep into our souls and can often feel like the us we knew before, will never again be; and let me tell you it’s true, we do change. And sometimes we feel so broken we can’t even imagine our way back to the light, but it’s there, patiently waiting for us. And the healing takes shape in different ways for each of us, but the root is in humanity. A hug, a phone call a visit, a connection with someone who is there for us, holding us up until we can stand on our own again.
We change and hopefully, in time, we grow.
Life does that to us.
We become more aware, more compassionate and more in tune with what we are really here for, to connect with others and to reap as much joy from this life that we can.
We cannot help but be shaped by the past, and sometimes the bad seems to greatly outweigh the good. These experiences are burrowed deep into our souls and can often feel like the us we knew before, will never again be; and let me tell you it’s true, we do change. And sometimes we feel so broken we can’t even imagine our way back to the light, but it’s there, patiently waiting for us. And the healing takes shape in different ways for each of us, but the root is in humanity. A hug, a phone call a visit, a connection with someone who is there for us, holding us up until we can stand on our own again.
We change and hopefully, in time, we grow.
Life does that to us.
We become more aware, more compassionate and more in tune with what we are really here for, to connect with others and to reap as much joy from this life that we can.
Many people often comment to me regarding my positive
outlook. They joke that my glass is always
half full, and chuckle at my never ending search for rainbows and unicorns, this
is my way to bring balance into my life.
I need that balance because I know life may try to push me over when I
least expect it.
2013 has been challenging for me. I have a very sweet friend who is making the
most of her one “wild and precious life”, amidst a terminal cancer
diagnosis. And let me just say she is a
ROCKSTAR. She is someone who has always
been an amazing friend and a blessing to my life. We have been great friends for over the past
seventeen years. But in the past
few years she has taught me so much about life, love and gratitude and I am a very
lucky girl to call her my sweet friend.
Yes, 2013 has change me, I am more grateful, more
compassionate and hopefully a bit wiser.
My goal for 2014 is to “make it count”.
We have but one life and it is fragile.
So, as I am about to turn the page here in just a few
moments, I am reminded of Mary Oliver’s famous quote, “What is it you plan to
do with your one wild and precious life?”
Well Mary, I have 365 blank pages ahead of me and my intent for 2014 is to make them all count.
Well Mary, I have 365 blank pages ahead of me and my intent for 2014 is to make them all count.
Wishing you all peace, courage, gratitude and strength in 2014.
