Daily Life, Yoga

My 2017 Year and Resolutions Review

So, I normally write a big blog post at the end of the year reviewing the resolutions I made and how I felt the year went. However, since there were some delays with getting the blog up before the beginning of the year, so this was originally published on my personal Facebook page before reposting it here.

This year was by far my most difficult but also my most rewarding.

I completed Yoga Teacher Training earlier this month. It was an amazing and transformative experience. I learned so much about myself that I didn’t expect — most of it too personal to publish publicly, at least at this time. I’m not the same person I was six months ago and definitely not who I was a year ago. I’ll start teaching in January and couldn’t be more excited!

I’m learning to break habits that I’ve had my entire life. It’s not easy, but it’s always worth it. I am not as afraid to stand up for myself, I learned how to set boundaries, and I learned forgiveness… Especially for myself. I found the light inside my heart… and remembered. Like Albus Dumbledore says, even in the darkest of times, all we have to do is turn on a light. That light is always inside us and can never disappear.

I made some amazing friends this year and deepened some other friendships, which was very important to me.

I learned to care less about who I thought I had to be and what people thought of me and focused on being my authentic self, speaking my truth, living with an open heart. Still learning, still making progress. What I found was that I’m actually surrounded by more love than I ever imagined — and it surprised me. When I had gallbladder surgery a month ago, I was blown away by how many people called, texted, messaged, visited me, and sent gifts & cards. I’m still beyond grateful for the love and kindness that I was given.

I made seven intentions (no, they weren’t really resolutions) last year and I can honestly say that I think I’ve succeeded with each of them. Maybe not perfectly (ok, my nutrition could have used some work), but I feel that I have done my best. They were:

1. Access creativity often.
2. Be more consistent with my health/fitness/nutrition.
3. Read more books.
4. Reconnect with myself more often through nature and meditation.
5. Speak what you seek. “You get in life what you have the courage to ask for” – Oprah Winfrey
6. Don’t trade authenticity for approval. Be yourself.
7. Allow things to happen as they will, without expectation.

Despite the challenges of the past year, it has been an amazing one, full of magic, miracles, love, and learning — always learning. I’ve had some wonderful experiences. I had a special trip to Florida earlier this year. We took a great family trip to Washington DC. The boys started elementary school together in Kindergarten and 3rd grade. I completed YTT and taught my first 90 minute class. Finally, my kids are happy, creative, and excelling in school, & my husband is caring, loving, successful, and pushes me to reach my own goals and find happiness in life. I can’t ask for anything more…

What you put into the world really does come back to you. Shine your light and you will receive more light in return. I feel immensely blessed. My journey has only just begun.

“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language
And next year’s words await another voice
And to make an end is to make a beginning.”
— TS Eliot

This year’s BEST NINE: 1. I got my yoga room early this year which transformed my practice in so many ways. 2. Sunrise in Ft. Lauderdale was so special to me. 3. Our family trip to DC. 4. Having my hair done by Daniel & his team at Muse – always amazing. 5. YTT shenanigans at The Farmhouse, my favorite coffeeshop. 6. Flowers sent while I was in the hospital for my gallbladder. 7. My sweet boys enjoying the biggest snow storm Atlanta has seen in 30 years. 8. The final reading from my YTT solo teach from The Radiance Sutras 111 which has been the most important piece for me this year. 9. YTT 200hr graduation, grateful to have graduated with Rose, one of my closest friends and an amazing teacher who earned her 300hr.

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