Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

The new year has officially begun! As I do with every new year, I take some time to reflect on the previous year and all that took place. I reflect on the good, the sometimes bad, the hard times, the wonderful celebrations that took place, the stress of certain situations and I see how God has once again brought me through not just to survive but to thrive. For several months, I have gone through a really difficult time and I have said over and over, “I don’t want to just survive, I want to thrive.” I want to learn through this hard time but honestly, I have just been surviving most days. I was told it was okay to just survive and not always look to thriving during this time. I love to learn, and to me thriving means I am learning and growing. I grew a lot last year and I also survived. With that said, I am grateful for a new year.

Most people make resolutions at the beginning of a new year. I stopped making new year’s resolutions because I generally fail at them for one reason or another. Years ago, I decided to adopt the practice of choosing a word (or words) that I want to see in my life every day. One year I chose the word, adventure. I have kept that word for each year because I see life as an adventure, even with the detours or getting lost at times. This year I am adding the word, celebrate. This is something that I want to do more of in my life.

I have many family members and friends who are really good at celebrating the big and the small things in life. One person I know that celebrates things well is my aunt Cindy. She knows how to celebrate the big and the small. Life is an adventure and she is going to celebrate it. This picture of me and my aunt Cindy is one of my favorites from my sister’s wedding. We were being silly and celebrating our shoes (something you don’t see in the picture.) What you do see is big smiles, love, and celebration!

Me and my aunt Cindy

This year I am choosing to celebrate the big and the small. I want to find something to celebrate each day. I want to celebrate the people in my life. My hope (and goal) is to be as intentional about this as possible.

One big thing I will be celebrating is graduating with my bachelors degree. I apply for graduation in three weeks! The date is May 19^th. Yes, there will be much celebration taking place that weekend!

I know there will be wonderful times and hard times to walk through, it seems as though each year brings joy and heartache, but I will still celebrate. I will celebrate all that God has done and will do in my life.

What are you looking forward to this year?