2014 goal will be JOY!

I was off work for the past two weeks: enjoying time with family and friends. My family lives far away- about 5 hours away and I just love seeing them around this time of year. Christmas is always filled with great childhood memories. As an adult, I love reminiscing.. my mother's holiday baking, my dad's crazy stories and adventures, and all the great moments i shared with my sister. I love seeing them! This year I also took time to go see a great friend of mine.  I met Rachael in university but unfortunately she lives 7 hours away. We talk on the phone weekly but there is nothing more soothing and enjoyable than spending quality time with her. When I first met Rachael, she was a social butterfly, happy, energetic and always surrounded by friends. I was amazed that she wanted to be friends with me: a quiet, reserved girl. As time went by, we realized how much we complemented each other. I needed her push and optimism to make important decisions in my life and she needed to me to "ground" her.  Seven years later, Rachael and I are still just as close. She understands me so well, knows when to be brutally honest and when I just need to be reassured. She is now a yoga instructor and has work so much on her person. Every time I see her, I am amazed at the personal work she's done and how she has grown as an individual. She is genuinely a HAPPY person. She is balanced, listens and continuously tries to understand what her body is telling her.    This Christmas she offered me the most precious gift- a private yoga session. She pampered me, help me perfect certain poses but most of all, gave me a safe space to feel love, and allow me to be vulnerable without asking questions. We mediated, for what felt like 20 minutes and I must say there is nothing better than stopping everything and just being present. I do practice yoga but I hadn't made the time to go in a few months. This private session was the perfect reminded that I needed to get back into my practice and listen to my body’s aches but also my emotions. I am so grateful for this gift she, unknowingly gave me. On my drive home, all 7 hours, I reflected on this gift and how I could maintain the peace and happiness she had given me in that short hour. I decided that I didn't need a “New Year’s resolution” but I was rather pursuing a goal: Happiness and peace with myself. Let me explain, I am always trying to help others find their happy place, peace in their lives and their decisions. However, I often got home and felt too tired to do things that made me happy, for instance practice Yoga. I often limited myself and my interest because no one wanted to join me. The problem was that I always felt frustrated and at time disappointed when I didn't do what I had initially intended on doing. I love taking pictures; however I don’t have any friends that share this same passion. I often limited myself and didn't go out and explore new venues to photograph simply because I didn't want to be alone.    

This year my goal is not to limit myself because I am momentarily tired or without a partner in crime. I hope this will help me maintain a happy outlook and inner peace!