peace.

2011, you were a powerful year. You pushed me, encouraged me, surprised me and gave me a sense of self I never thought possible. You tested me for sure--there were a few moments where I wished your days away, cursed your existence and threw my hands up in defeat. I've watched my relationships be majorly tested in you; some survived, grew and flourished...and others didn't. Some I miss very much and others I have found peace in letting go of. You made me question everything under the sun.

But you also cracked my heart wide open and flooded it with love; powerful, beautiful, raw love.

I have felt very, very alive in you.

Thank you for it all. The good, the bad, the silly, the confusing, the humbling, the exciting, the mundane, the nerve racking, the scary, the freaking awesome and the unknown. I am deeply grateful for the lessons learned, bridges crossed, chapters closed and new dreams realized (and even manifested!). I am especially grateful for new and old friendships, including my family. The community of people who fill my days with love and laughter are sources of light I hope to always have the pleasure of watching shine. I have to pinch myself I'm so lucky to know them.

My dear Grateful Lifers- I wish you all peace in 2012. Peace within, peace all around you. Peace with the past, for what's done is done. Peace with the future, for what will be will be. Peace in the present, for it is the only space we are guaranteed and should be embraced wholly.

Be safe, be well.

As my dad always says in his emails to me, Be good.

Happy New Year!

Trish