2005: Year in Review-Revelations & Resolutions: Part 2

So, in continuation of my

LESSONS LEARNED in 2005:

I learned that doing nothing gets awfully boring after a while and I do better when I have a routine and a schedule.

I learned that becoming a morning person actually IS possible. I love getting up at 6:30am/7am now-granted I still am a night owl by nature and have to force myself to sleep at 11pm at night-but the mornings now are a glorious and wonderful time. It's MY time, peace and quiet and reflection. Sleeping in now is 9am, MAYBE 10am, at the very LATEST-I never in a million years I thought I'd say any part of this paragraph-but low and behold-here I am, saying it and loving it! :)

I learned that silence is golden and that the biggest answers come to me when I just SHUT UP and LISTEN!

I learned that meditation is a gift. Meditation is a gift I give myself and my own personal pathway to everything good and wonderful-love, happiness, joy and inner peace. It's no longer a luxary of mine, it's a necessity and one that I wouldn't trade for the world! Meditating has single handidly saved me from anger, hatred, disease and destruction. It may not work for everyone, but it works for me-and that's what matters! I highly reccomend trying it-it really helps!

I learned that if I try, if I really, really try-I can breathe my way out of a temper uproar and angry explosion-yes it takes work, but it CAN be done!

I re-learned a lesson and sentiment I've always known is true-but that I stupidly kind of started to doubt in the last few years previous to this one! I learned that my mother-no matter how much we disagree on certain subjects-really does love and care about me more than ANYONE on this earth and still, 22 years later, does EVERYTHING in her power to make my life fun, light and enjoyable! I've discovered what it's like to be a grown up daughter and have lunch dates with mom-where we're two equals-as best friends, instead of mommy/child. I am honored and blessed to have her as both! I love you mom!

I also re-learned that FAMILY IS the MOST important bond we have. I could lose a lot-not that I'd want to-but truthfully-as long as my family is healthy and happy and okay-than so am I!

Families aren't always blood related-and most of my family members are chosen-not given. Either way-they're absolutely, positively SUPER FANTASTIC! I learned that it's okay to love them and carve out time for them-and be vigilant in standing up for them! And then, it's okay to NOT call them for a while-let THEM start to miss me and discover the joy and delight when we re-connect! There is no true disconnection as long as there is thought & prayers-and lots and lots of prayers.

I re-learned that they're my family true and true-and that ones that ARE your family-have NO problem saying it, proving it and doing it! They not only walk the walk, they talk the talk-and are pretty darn open about doing so! I've learned that some people we call "family," really are not-and that it's okay to put an end to "family relations" that just aren't working out for you. It's okay to stand back and stand up for yourself and say "ENOUGH!" It's not that you no longer love that "family," you can still bless them and love them-forever-it's just that you don't have to continually embrace them when they continually reject you.

Peace of mind is everything-and anything that doesn't bring that on-isn't worth my time or energy!

That being said, I'm proud to know and have my family, and cannot imagine my life without them! Thank you ALL of you, for making 2005 my best year EVER!!!!

I learned that having a baby changes EVERYTHING. I did NOT have one this year, and probably never will-don't really want them. But, it truly does change EVERYTHING. Being around babies this year has changed so much for me-the way I see the world, the life cycle, myself-it's totally awesome! A lot of my friends had babies this year and I could not be happier or prouder of them! It's amazing how darn fast someone is born and then-bam-they're 8 months, 5 years old, and then my age! LOL!

Life FLIES by and that's why we MUST appreciate every moment we're given-because it's a gift-and nothing and no one proves this sentiment more than a baby.

So, to all the babies I know-Aspen Towell, Jackson Larison & Savannah Martin-WELCOME TO THE WORLD-get ready babes-it'll be a wild, joyful and amazing ride! Thank you for brining your parents, and myself, enourmous joy and love!

I learned that I really do not like meat-except salmon fish-I learned that while being a vegetarian is hard-it's so rewarding and I feel/look better because of it!

I learned that I still adore popcorn, but don't need it everyday. I learned that coca-cola is NOT worth damaging my body over-and alcahol is NOT all it's cracked up to be!

I learned that I really do prefer DARK chocolate over MILK chocolate-and in fact, I can barely stand milk chocolate anymore-but guess what? There are FEW things in life as pleasurable and indulgent as good, rich and smooth dark chocolate-especially with a cup of coffee-oh my god-close to sex!

Speaking of sex-I also learned that sex can only sustain a relationship so long and then you have nothin'-it's about honesty, loyalty, respect, trust and COMMUNICATION-sex is only ONE tiny part of a relationship and the BIGGEST turn on (and turn off) in the world-is the BRAIN-not the other parts!

So, that's what I learned this year, I'm sure I learned more, I just can't think of anything else right now-all in all-it's been a wonderous, fullfilling, glorious and miraculous year-filled with love and joy and peace and honesty! I hope and pray 2006 is even better!

My Many New Year's Resolutions for 2006:
(most of which are just continuations)

*Continue on my spiritual journey & grow in/with God

*Continue to forgive!

*Continue to meditate, at least every other day, and quit apologizing for it when people want my attention during it!

*Continue being a Vegetarian-and learn how to make soups and stuff like that!

*Cook more!

*Laugh more!

*Cry less-and when I do, cry more tears of JOY!

*Continue to acknowledge and respect my blessings!

*Make more time for my cat, Nellie, she is a little neglected lately! Sorry baby! I love you!

*Hug my mom everyday-and tell her thank you-for EVERYTHING!

*SAVE MONEY! Even if only $25 a month-I'm 22, it's really time to start thinking about my financial future and every little bit helps!

*Embrace the moment and stop lamenting over what's not here now!

*Be LESS selfish!

*Throw out useless crap I never use and don't know I have-BUT, note to God-please don't just TAKE it from me-I'll do it on my own-if You continue to give me the desire-please!

*GET WAY MORE ORGANIZED!
(I started in 2004 but now it's really time to get my crap together, literally! My room, my closet, my storage. It's all pretty well-but can be totally improved.)

All the best to all of you in the new year-happiness, health, love, peace and joy! ALWAYS!

Goodbye '05, Hello '06!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Many New Year Blessings,
-SL