Monday, December 31, 2012

This was the year...

And what a big year.  We moved to LA.  I finished a novel and started another.  We had seven sets of visitors.  I visited the South Island of New Zealand, Hawaii and Orlando. I started writing for a few new travel publications, did some PR work for the first time on the side.  Tom and I took trips to Laguna Beach, Palm Springs and Santa Barbara.  We flew back to Toronto to visit family twice.  I completed eight full weekends of a yoga teacher training.  I've made new friends and kept in touch with old ones. I did my first three-day juice cleanse.  I started riding a bike.  I started writing this blog.  Tom and I made a new home. Close to the end of this year I hit a bump in the road and stumbled.  Now it's the last day of 2012 and I'm pretty much back on my feet. My knees may feel a little wobbly but there's sturdy ground beneath me and strength in the muscles that hug to my bones.

So those are the main events among the many others of 2012, but in truth, this was the year...

   ...the ocean got closer


....and I remembered you can always hear it, even in the sound of a breath.


This was the year of knowing you're always moving forward as long as you don't give up


...and that gratitude is infinite


...fun is of the utmost importance


....and fear is what you feel just before your spirit grows.


This was the year I was reminded you can't worry about unanswerable questions


 ....and that hope is at its strongest when you're staring the hardest truths in the face.


I learned that love travels through text messages, and webcams and emails.  It sits inside photographs and birthday cards, on notes written on the back of old bills.  And even when you're not thinking about it, it's hanging out in the air around you, connecting you to the world, and all the people you love no matter how far away.  It's connecting you to all beings.  Everywhere.


You are you.  Dare greatly.  Put your true self out there for the world to see — even if that means risking failure, being vulnerable, and writing corny, heartfelt blog posts that are a little too sappy for most people's taste.


See what can happen when you just go with it?


Know that you are blessed beyond your fondest dreams.


Keep your heart open...


...to give, give, give and to receive.  Forgive yourself for being human.  Find gratitude even for the things that happened this year that were excruciating, or at least work on finding it.  Because one day you're going to look back on this year and be in awe of how long ago it was, of how it shaped you, of how you got through it, and of how you were actually able to accomplish so much.  Even though it may not feel like it, even though it might feel like the opposite, you're stepping up.

And the truth is no one can promise you this means you'll see your dreams realized.  The truth is no one knows that much for sure.  But if you're here, you're fed and clothed, sheltered and breathing, you've got today to give it your best shot.

This was a year of love.  This was a year of greatness.  This year and all.  xo



4 comments:

  1. Tears of joy that you are so beautiful, more strongly on the inside. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a glorious piece you have written. It touched me deeply and it's not sappy in the least. Big T and I love you very much. Happy 2013, sweet Candice. Wit love, Mama2 xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks M2 - love you and P2 so much!! Happy New Year! xoxoxox

      Delete