“Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly.”

-Annonymous

I love that quote and I think it applies to all of us at some point or another in our lives. Perhaps we lost a job, lost a friend or suffered a heartbreak… In the moment of that grand obstacle, you likely feel feelings of despair, sadness, loss, inner turmoil, fear, and a loss of hope that you will ever be happy again. But as a strong human being, you endure, time heals and you move forward. You find a new career, even better and more challenging than before and in retrospect see how if that first door hadn’t closed, another would not have opened. You realize that you will never be able to bring someone back to life, but the memories and the energy of them is a part of you which is eternal. You hit the final stage of grieving when you realize that yes, you will love again.

I’ve been through my share of what seem like losses at the time and now understand that those are just part of the various chapters of your life story. Some parts may feel better than others, but each part is essential to the story of your life. Of course, the upcoming chapter is no chance of the universe – and it is your decision on how you choose to handle the various obstacles and opportunities that will arise. I feel a transformation in 2009, and I am excited for a year of positive changes, growth and self love.

I’ve always had new goals and objectives throughout the year. I’ve been a great believer of writing your goals down and being focused on what you want to achieve. I realized that for the last ten years, my goals have always centered around achievement, financial success and career growth. While I’m thankful of where that mindset and vision has taken me, I think I neglected creating goals and vision that focused on me. The inner me that includes self love, patience, inner peace and physical and spiritual health.

Throughout my life I have been distracted with the chase – the next job, position or purchase. The thing is, if you are always running and thinking of the next destination you don’t have a chance to really appreciate where you really are in the present. And when things slow down, you realize you are uncomfortable with the stillness and maybe even that chaos and adrenaline is a preferable state. I’ve dealt with that discomfort by just starting the race again but in 2009, I’ve decided that instead of filling up a void with another distraction, I will work on myself and being content with where I am. My goals are very different than what they were just a year ago. My 2009 goals are focused on practicing yoga, nourishing my body and soul, reading more, expressing through creativity, embracing self love, love towards others and being open to love, growing past impatience and slowing down my mind.

This year is going to be a very significant one, full of change and growth. Thank you all who have been part of my story – whether you are part of my closest circle, a peer, or even just a facebook poke! I wish you all love, peace, patience and compassion.