Twenty Sixteen|

The twinkling lights, the thrill of an old year past and the anticipation of a new on the horizon, ignites a fire in us.

The popular song "Auld Lang Syne" is sung as people embrace friends and family ringing in another year. I love random facts and after having researched the song, I found out a few things.

" The phrase ‘Auld Lang Syne’ itself means ‘old long ago’,which can be translated as ‘‘days gone by’ or ‘back in the day’.
Thomas Keith, a Burns scholar, says the song symbolises reunion – not parting, as some mistakenly believe.
The song looks back over happy days from the past, separation, then coming back together."

Twenty sixteen did bring me happy days. Many, many happy days. But it also brought a lot of difficult moments. Times where I didn't know what emotions I was feeling or if those long days would end.

I love when people are positive. I love when people highlight the times in their past year that were grand, the moments where they stood on the mountain top surveying all the beauty around them. It genuinely makes me happy to celebrate with them.

But life isn't just the high moments. It's not always shiny and bright. The nitty, gritty moments are there to bring clarity, the access to a path less traveled. I don't know about you, but I prefer less populated roads. I like learning how to maneuver through the rigid edges of the mountain, or avoid the sharp rocks below my feet.

This year taught me that I am capable of so much more then I give myself credit for. This generation thinks its endearing to be self-deprecating, like it's some kind of virtue. The less you think of yourself, the more you put yourself down, the more you will appear humble.

It's not true though. Humility comes from realizing you don't have it together and that's alright. But it also comes from a place where you also need to tighten you shoelaces and keep moving forward.

I learnt this year to say "No" and not apologize for it.

I learnt to resolve conflicts with people. A lesson that was terribly painful to endure. It took guts and strength to stand up for myself;to realize that resolution is on the other side of forgiveness.

I learnt that some people are mean. That sometimes the only way for people to feel better about themselves is to throw someone else under the bus. I also learnt that them doing that to me, doesn't decrease my value. My value is priceles because I am loved and accepted by those who see my value.

I learnt that communication is key. That if I'm feeling sad, or struggling, that it's ok to let down your guard.

I also learnt that if you are feeling unmotivated, it's most likely because you are feeling uninspired. I learnt to rediscover the things that inspire me. And that inspiration is all around you.

Twenty sixteen also brought me a husband and a stellar one at that. Greg has taught me so much.

He taught me that people will always have opinions,and that's ok.

He taught me that it better to let go of things that hurt you then to hold onto them.

He taught me how to love and to be loved.

As twenty seventeen approaches, I hope you hold onto the good, the beautiful, the sacred. But I hope you also see the lessons around you, eager to teach you things about yourself you never knew.

Happy New Year!