seasons

2010 brought a roller-coaster of memories. Summer in Paris can not be forgotten. And, having one of my besties travel to see us as Fall turned to Winter was a wonderful gift.

But in between the highs there were challenges that life can sometimes throw at you. Like when Winter began to turn into Spring a soul-sister got sick with the dreaded "C" word and I struggled with the feeling of helplessness at being so far away. Or, before Summer made its transition into Autumn, my mom took a fall and I tried to read between the lines of her brave sounding emails hoping she wasn't just telling me what I wanted to hear.

After much work stress there was a new beginning when Design Guy changed companies last Spring and we made a commitment to extend our stay in the UAE. But in the Fall there was a sad ending. We faced our biggest challenge when his mom passed away.

When someone close to you dies you can't help but reflect. It shouldn't take a death to realize how we want to live, but the truth is, losing somebody is sometimes the reminder we need to take inventory of how we are living our own life. Are we doing all we can to live it fully, compassionately and honestly?

I am ready to bring on the seasons of 2011. It is a given that there will be challenges mixed in with the rock-star moments, but you know what? Challenges are part of a life fully lived. You can't have one without the other.

We are each responsible for the choices we make as we continue to create our journeys. So choose to look for opportunities to learn and grow every single day and find at least one thing to be grateful for. Choose to find more reasons to laugh instead of cry.

Now, grab the champagne, and pop that cork.