dear 2014, thank you.

I think New Year’s is strange.

I get supremely excited for a new beginning, an opportunity to make new meaning. One door closes and another door opens. The pages turning; on to another chapter. A new title for a new year. And one that we can’t yet see. Three hundred and sixty-five days to determine what exactly that new title might be.

I also find it a smidgen sad. The last 365 days have said their peace and forever left their mark. There is no time to go back and change them, the title encapsulating the year already written.

Maybe your 2014 title says, “the year of sadness,” or maybe “the year of new beginnings” or maybe “the year everything fell apart.”

I did a little digging back to the beginning of 2014..and let me just tell you…2014 was a year of miracles. You may be surprised to hear this, but I assure you it is true nonetheless.

Last January–on day 1 of 365–I wrote about the “year of change” with a love note penned by a friend of mine who is now no longer in my life due to life and misunderstandings.

You see…life has a funny way of happening when you’re not looking. People come and go. Relationships begin and end. You lose important people and treasures you thought you wouldn’t be able to live without…

…and when the storm settles…you discover you’re still living. 

Last January I also put into words two of the most honest pieces on heartbreak that I have ever written. 

…and life carried on.

I graduated with my Masters degree, traveled to Seattle, became a yoga instructor, i fell in love with Canada and Oregon, saw four of my favorites in New York City.

Who taught me even more about friendship. 

I said thank you… a lot.

I made new friends.

I did the most challenging, ridiculous, and awesome yoga instagram challenges. It was madness. 

I began standing on my head.

I said goodbye to a lot. In many different ways. To more than people and places. To things, ideas, expectations, ways of being, ways of hurting, pain, and sadness.

I pretended to be cool enough to make lists. it was awesome.

I was taught a lot about fear, shame, and love.

New friends became old friends and old friends became new friends.

I saw a lot of beauty. And witnessed a lot of pain.

I pretended I was dating…and then I {officially} stopped dating {again}.

I sprinted, full-force ahead and had to stop and be still and regroup.

…it has been a full year. 

Isn’t it amazing how much we can pack into 365 days!?

~~~~~~~

Yesterday was my birthday. It was amazing. I have the rare opportunity to be celebrated during the season that people are happy simply because (or maybe it’s because they have time off or their families are around…who knows). This season when people {eventually} slow down for just a moment, hopefully long enough to get out a “thank you” for the incredible abundance we often celebrate too little. It’s great…in case you are wondering.

I do a lot of reflecting and thinking {which is something I never do, so my brain hurts ;)} around this time of year and often I come back to this simple truth…

there is so much to be grateful for.

So as the parties begin, the bubbly is poured, and the food is served…I hope you take a moment to glance around and notice how much awesome is around you. Wherever you are and whatever it is you’re doing…whether it’s snuggled up on the couch watching the peach drop or counting down in Prague…say thanks.

I am so thankful for you.

As the last page of 2014 lands face down, I hope you cheers to love, to abundance, to gratitude, and awesomeness. 

2015 is going to be amazing, loves.