Thank you 2023 for all the life-ing
Post time: 3 minuteSLife was for sure life-ing this past year. I saw a lot. Did a lot. Dreamed a lot. Worked a lot. Manifested a lot and without a shadow of doubt received more than I could ever imagine.
My laptop screen saver is a vision board reminder of my goals. Essentially, more writing, more money, more travel, more love, and more me. The three key words were “surrender to rise” which took me to new lows and heights all at the same time. I reached so many of my goals that I’m at the point of needing to dream bigger (and clearly bolder) because I’m already reaching what I didn’t see was possible.
Image of light shining through clouds. Photo taken by me.
My top moments and reflections:
Project managing the Hennepin County Mental Health Awareness Campaign
Bike rides with my son Kaiden
Achieve Mpls EdTalk and collab with Ed Allies
Kaiden starting kindergarten * real tears *
Summer pool days
Soulmates and my-kind-of-people connections
Podcast sessions with the amazing Suxie Speaks
Electric bike ride in LA across Venus and Santa Monica beaches
Photo captures of sunrises and sunsets
Remembering to live.
After nearly 10 years, I said goodbye to my spaceship aka 08’ Prius. I learned a lot about purchasing cars. I put nearly 10,000 miles on my new one with work. I didn’t buy a new car because I wanted to either. Time had other plans. That spaceship of a ride took me places. Countless Chicago trips visiting family, Kaiden’s first ride home from the birth center, my COVID-19 whip. It might’ve been more memorable than my miracle whip in high school. This year though we were meant to go different places and the goodbye was real. I also learned an awful lot about laundry appliances. Another moment not because I wanted to, but I had to let go. Money out, money in was the way. Surrender was realized. New pages of life gained through grateful yet grief and loss.
Quote by Yvonne Pierre: “when the winds of life are pushing you back, that’s when you push forward the hardest.” Followed by another interpretation from Jackie in Melbourne, Australia: “…or release resistance, allow them to push and go with the flow of life.”
A new take on love
For the first time since I can remember, this year, I fell in love with the person I’m becoming. I fell in love with my voice. The way I make people laugh. The way I can make people look at life from a different angle. The way my presence can offer ease. The way I leave people better than I found them. That’s what good medicine does, that’s what good humans do.
A co-worker said I’m the epitomize Dr. Maya Angelou’s quote: “people wont remember what you said or did but will remember how you made them feel.” Indeed, it was a year of a whole lot impressions. I was given the opportunity to pour into work, into communities in big ways. The moments and connections gave me priceless and unforgettable memories I’ll forever hold dear.
I fell in love with the way I have with words. Someone started their first meeting with me saying: “well, first, I think you’re a prolific writer.” I’ll never forget that. I’ll never forget too how many words I’ve made public. My desire was more personal in the beginning, but what I see is me creating more good, more thought, more action to do the most good for humanity.
It’s my superpower to make words dance, dig deep, and do something so divinely true. My words, I hope, spark and ripple effect tiny yet mighty revolutions of change for years to come. This year, there were countless moments where I fell in love with my youthful spirit.
I fell in love with the way my mind works. The way I see in gray vs. black and white. I fell more in love with my body and its natural curves and edges. My smile, my laughter, my entire being. I fell in love with life in color and the endless colors of life.
I fell in love with matcha lattes and warm butter croissants. I fell in love with putting one foot in front of the other and doing the very next thing. I fell in love with the idea that with time brings healing and deep discernment. I fell in love with me and choosing to romanticize self love as one of my biggest blessings. Because when you learn you are your best thing, you normalize your greatness and live life unapologetically.
Next year is going to be what is. More words. More miles (running a half marathon). More people and places to meet.
Thank you for rocking with me in 2023. Can’t wait to meet you and the beauty ahead in 2024.
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