Embracing 2014

When it comes to reminiscing over the events of 2013, I don't really know where to start. Certainly there were the highs like travelling to Las Vegas, San Francisco and Mexico but there were also the lows like saying goodbye to all three of my remaining grandparents. There was new learnings and new beginnings as Brandon started preschool and I was stretched to my limits with a project at work. There were celebrations like our 10th wedding anniversary and the two weddings we attended for dear friends. In 2013 we hosted visiting family and friends. We travelled and spent time in the mountains. We introduced Brandon to soccer, gymnastics, skiing,  the Stampede, the movie theatre, sushi and Vietnamese food. We hung out and laughed with friends. BBQ's, playdates, swim lessons . . . it was nothing if it wasn't busy.
So what are my hopes for 2014? Well actually I hope it's a lot like 2013. I want to spend time with friends and I want to travel. I want to stretch myself at work and learn new skills. I want to introduce Brandon to more new and wonderful things. I want to watch him grow. I want to celebrate my marriage but in little ways, everyday. I want to exercise. I want to practice meditation and quiet reflection. I want to buy everything cash!
Back in December, Jamie and I attended a New Years Eve party. We played a game where everyone put their New Year's resolution into a bucket. The resolution was pulled from the bucket and read aloud. The game was you had to guess who made the resolution. I was joking when I wrote "my resolution is to keep being awesome!" but when I think about it now, that's exactly what I want to do. Last year I learned something very important. I learned how to live in the moment. I learned how to be present and sometimes I wonder if that's actually the secret to living a good life. It wasn't easy to do and I certainly didn't practice it all the time but sometimes I was very good at forgetting the past letting go of the future.
When I choose to live in the present, I see things so clearly. I see how beautiful my son is. I hear a dragonfly go by. I smell chicken roasting in the oven. I feel happy when my favourite song comes on the radio. I feel whatever it is I'm feeling be it grief, frustration or even delight and let it move through me. Life seems more of a pleasure when I experience it this way and I hope to keep working on it for the year ahead.
So for me "to keep being awesome" I'll continue to see the good in things, laugh a lot, love a lot, forgive when I need to and be grateful for all that I have. We only get one shot at 2014 and I plan on living it every day the best that I can!

P.S. - cupcakes are awesome! Especially when they come with sweet messages ;-)