We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day. – Edith Lovejoy Pierce
2015 has been challenging. Not more than any other year but it was different, it was an emotionally challenging year. 2016 will be even more challenging but with a difference. I usually let challenges come to me. And I think that makes it harder to deal with them because they can be so unexpected and all over the place. I am sure we cannot avoid some of the unexpected challenges of life, some things are just beyond our control but most of the time we can control our lives. We make choices and upon those choice there are consequences.
I will set my own challenges for 2016 as a result of 2015. They are ready to go and I would be lying if I said it didn’t scare the hell out of me. But I chose to do it, so it is my responsibility and how I will react will be entirely up to me.
On the other end, this year is finishing nicely.
It had been such a long time since Christmas had been fun and without any drama. On Christmas, bad stuff happens. So I decided to avoid Christmas, especially when it concerns family. Because drama starts with family most of the time.
Last year on Christmas I had a downfall with my son and as a result we did not talk for about 8 months. The only reason I know how many months is because he told me. I honestly did not think he cared but if he was counting, maybe he did after all. Our passion about video games is what got us talking to each other again.
When my ex-husband invited me for a family gathering I was a bit weary. When I got there, my son was not there and I became anxious. I don’t need to see my ex-husband. We do this mainly for the kids though I know he will always watch my back. But as he kept saying “don’t worry he will be here soon”, it felt like history repeating itself. This time I could not even drink my sorrow as I was the designated driver for my daughter and her boyfriend. But my son finally showed up; put on a little bit of a show; made us all laugh. I relaxed. It ended up being the best Christmas day in a long time. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute I spent with my kids on that day. And we will do this more often from now on.
This Christmas season I was surrounded by my closest friends literally and virtually. A few of my close friends are overseas but that does not seem to hinder the friendships. It was a great year to watch our friendship grow stronger. Living on different continents does not mean we do not have disagreements or arguments even. But as friends, we also have a committed friendship. We are here for each other no matter our differences and I love it!
And then there are my friends over here – some were not close friends, merely acquaintances but over the month they have turned into solid friendships and that is amazing. I am so grateful for having such amazing friends!
There are also the new friends, or maybe one in particular 😉 who have started to tag along so it is hard to tell how this will turn out. But for now it makes me happy to be surrounded by family and friends, new and old. And I will be welcoming the new friends I’ll probably meet next year and the ones I have yet to meet face to face.
I have so many plans for 2016 that I am really looking forward to the New Year. I still have a few things I would like to reflect on so that I can make better choices or decisions about them, but other than that: 2016, BRING IT ON!
[clickToTweet tweet=”Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. – Ralph Waldo Emerson” quote=”Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. – Ralph Waldo Emerson”]
Wishing you all the best life has to offer in the coming year and the years to follow. Happy New Year everyone!
PS: I really want to say thank you to my friends, you know who you are if you are reading this… Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being my friends, I love you all xo