best of 2008

i cant believe the new year has arrived so fast! 2008 came along with so many long lasting friendships and gorgeous memories. as i reflect on the past year, one word comes to mind: acceptance.

accepting myself, and others. learning how different we all are, and taking this into consideration. taking all of our differences, and learning from them. getting a grasp on what makes your culture different from mine, and what i can gain from your lifestyle. then using it. accepting myself for all i have become thus far, and all that is yet to come. accepting that sometimes, saying "no" is okay. we are one person. one thing at a time.

this year, i grew. changed. learned. i accepted myself, laughed at myself and taught myself. i stood up for myself. i put myself first. very selfish things, but not selfish in the way that is a negative, but a selfish in the way that just means i am growing older, and realizing that i come first. self actualization and a deep, true understanding and respect for meditation and yoga. both, very important aspects of my life. journaling, writing, creating, all of this. for my mind. for my peace. for my calm heart.

this year, i opened up. i let new faces in and took them under my wing. invited them into my heart and home. despite the new faces, i always love the old faces. the faces that hold all of my stories, my fears, dreams, wishes and secrets. the faces who i laugh with, cry with and love with. you are all my favourites! time and time again, i am always so thankful for all of you, who have supported me, loved me and cheered me through it.

this year, a year of traveling with george. dusting off our passports and going to the bahamas, road trips to see our best friends from college, taking boat rides to fire island, planning our future vacations and mapping out the future by the means of a globe. traveling manhattan, brooklyn and queens. eating in resturants we have never been, drinking pricey imported beers whose name we cannot pronounce, and making friends along the way. traveling in planes, cars, trains and little sailboats. always on an adventure, my little partner and i.

this year, a lot of laughing with teresa until our eyes are drenched with tears. my heterosexual lifemate i cannot go a day without touching base with. always there. listening. people watching with me, and getting it. growing with each other, and watching our lives take different paths, but still being the best friends we were since we were old enough to walk. my most favourite treasure.

this year, i understood the meaning of art therapy. and wished i obtained talents to draw more then silly stick figures so i could study it further. but now, understanding it. admiring it. studying it. looking at art in so many ways. realizing that my jewlery designs are my art therapy. selling them. to strangers! allowing people i dont know, to wear my most prized pieces! and of course, giving them to family. friends. watching their faces light up and their hearts soar, just by some silly little beads strung together. just the begining of my beloved calm heart creations. (with this said, new years resolution is to finally put up so many more of my little trinkets. from my heart to yours!).

this year, embracing my family. going to them for support, and making little memories with each and every one. knowing, anything can happen in an instant, and making everyday count. missing my mother more and more each day, but falling back on the strong women who have helped raise me. thanking them in not words, but subtle actions. always grateful. eternally.

this year, living. as i always do. making mistakes, yet growing from them. learning from them. living out my passions and hobbies. having another glass of wine, because, well, why not. taking a 60 ft drop into a shark tank, because, well, you only live once. my mantra. getting my hands dirty and smiling about it. making the most of what's around.

i hope, you, my friends, have a just as beautiful transition from 2008-2009. 2008 was the longest year since 1992, and it surely did not feel like it. i only hope 2009 is just as beautiful, worldly and adventurous as 2008 was. my best wishes, to you and yours, for a peaceful and healthy new years.

'merry merry christmases, many happy new years. unbroken friendships, great accumulations of cheerful recollections and affections on earth, and heaven for us all.'

-charles dickens