Jan 01 2010
Light Falls Upon a New Day in a New Year….
Celebrate It!
And a writer returns to the page. A warm smile spreads across her face as she does so.
I have missed you, dear friends, readers, writers, artists, sharing souls. How are you? It’s been far too long.
2009 was an interesting year. It was filled with the highs and lows we all experience but there was more. It picked me up toward the middle to end of the year in a tornado of moments, chaos, heartache, joy, suspense, challenge and whirling color and did not allow me to set my feet upon the ground till now. This is not to say I was a victim of circumstance or could not get here because I was stuck under something heavy. Well, I might have been stuck under something heavy – my own thoughts, insecurities, worries, etc. I was so “busy” with the move, worrying about losing work time, worrying about our new home, worrying about not being there enough for my family, worrying, worrying, worrying, that I lost sight of what is truly important and needed a personal time out. Yes, sitting in a corner quietly for awhile is exactly what my soul needed. Everything took a backseat including my Christmas cards (you will be getting them in January! What a treat LOL)
This year, I learned more than I ever imagined. I started off the year with a new business venture but my plan was not as solid as I thought. I had all the key components needed. I followed all the right procedures but I did not plan for life. Yes, as a business woman and Mom I quickly learned that I need to plan for the unexpected curve balls life is so famous for throwing out. I learned some incredibly tough lessons. I failed on a number of levels but out of that – and those growing pains hurt – I carved a new path, a more realistic one and got my professional life back on track. Now, I’m learning that I need more professionally to be fulfilled; this learning curve is steep but I’m growing but that’s now always easy but it is a wonderful gift. Even though I hate it sometimes – especially when I get tossed on my ass HARD – I am amazed at how there is always something new to learn.
Personally, I began to think more about how I spend money and time and quickly learned that I do not need many things. I realize how full, rich and beautiful life can be because of the people and not the materials we possess. It’s not as though I didn’t know that but living in a culture that promotes garnering more for oneself it can leave you often feeling as though your life is lacking somehow but it’s not. It’s full with love and creativity and imagination; we just have to adjust our perspective or at least I did. Imagination is the most precious gift we have! It’s simply amazing – we can make the things we dream come to life. And I worried that there wasn’t that much magic left in the world! It’s the self-belief part that can be tricky. I often found myself comparing myself to others and I reached the end of the year wondering why…I mean really wondering for the first time. I’ve talked about it, written about it and spoken about it but at this juncture in my life I honestly don’t want to do it. There are so many folks to learn from that if we or I spend time comparing and feeling “less than” I will lose out on valuable lessons I can learn. Instead, I need to know that there’s a place for me just as there is for all of us and that thought in and of itself is like the World’s greatest Christmas present.
I don’t make resolutions but I hope for things for me and for those I love. This year, my hope is to stay in touch more, to say I love you more and take more time with things. It’s to keep my eye on my passion, follow my heart and do everything in my power to be the best Mom, wife, daughter, friend, sister, woman I can be – without overwhelming myself and needing to hibernate (that’s a reoccurring pattern in my life.)
You have done so much for me. All of your sharing, your thoughtful comments, your love and support…without all of you I would not have made it through some very tough times and for that I will never be able to thank you enough. I plan to be here more – sharing, writing, creating and just living life. It is my sincere hope that you will come here to play too. Is there anything better than playing?
What’s your hope for the year ahead?
Have I mentioned how nice it is to be back….thank you for taking the time to read. It means the world….it always has. Thank you for being you and for being here. Happy New Year may 2010 be an unforgettable year for us all!
© Image Copyright Natasha Reilly 2010
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Welcome back, Natasha. Missed you. I walked with you in the shadows and now I’m ready to dance with you in the sunlight! ((hugs))
HAPPY NEW YEAR!! 2010 SHOULD BE INTERESTING!
welcome back nachita nacho.
all I can say is me too, on almost everything.
this year I am focusing on the word “realize”.
In one sense, I want to make real all the dreams I have been running away from.
In another sense, I want to realize the life that I am living as I am living it. Be aware. Be present.
Good luck to you in your new year.
Natasha,
You are so brilliant! Your beautiful writing and thoughts bring tears of love and joy to my eyes. Do you know how amazing you are? As I said in the first sentence – you are brilliant!
Countess Murphila
Felicia – Happy New Year! It’s just wonderful to see you here…I missed you as well
Your work is all over my office…it makes me smile as does the idea of walking in the sunlight (wink). Big hugs…may all your dreams come true this year 
Bridget! – You bet it’s going to be interesting….perhaps the most interesting year of your life so far?? Happy New Year cutes!!!!!!
Rowena!!! I’ve missed you and I love my new nickname – that will be my 2010 nickname fo’ sure!!!! I LOVE that you mentioned creating all the dreams I’ve been running from as well as being present ….you nailed it exactly on the head…that thing I’ve been thinking but couldn’t quite put words to….love it….great to be back I’m coming to visit! Good luck to you….can’t wait to see how you grow this year ..you’re an inspiration!
Countess Murphilia – you flatter me! My goodness thank you….brilliant…I don’t know about that but amazing yes because you are amazing and it takes an amazing woman to know an amazing woman right?? Thank you for such beautiful words
Love to you all!!
Welcome back! It’s great to have a nachos for the new year and look forward to many more! My hopes for the new year are to chill out and just be me. This past year has put me in so many new and different situations and sometimes I think I might have found myself trying to be what other people wanted me to be. This year, that’s out the window and I am going to be true to myself and the rest of the world can take it or leave it
Clairebear! Thank you it’s awesome to be back just as it’s awesome to see you here!!! I’m TOTALLY with you on being me….right about the middle of the year I started to feel like – I no longer care what others want….I teetered back and forth and this year I have that feeling….it’s me take it or leave it! Right on ..I can’t wait to hear how it goes and when it’s tested because aren’t we always tested when we are being true to who we are….I guess if we weren’t we wouldn’t appreciate ourselves as much right? Woooohoooo!
YAY-delicious, cheesy, warm nachos to start 2010 off! Although I don’t get the time to respond as much as I’d like here, I love reading these. This year I’d like to live more in the moment, hack away at some of my debt, stay in touch with the people that light up my life and spend as much QUALITY time as I can with my son and husband. Oh yeah, and be model-thin……BAH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAA
Theresa – Double YAY!! And so happy to see you here…Happy New Year!! I love that you respond and read whenever you can ..that’s so great. I’m with you on being in the moment, getting out of debt, hanging with lights like starlights in life and hanging with fam. I know you will accomplish all of these and just so you know you are thin and gorgeous!!!!!
Felicia said ” I walked with you in the shadows, and now I’m ready to dance with you in the sunlight” I love that – although- there are always shadows when there is sunlight, and that is what gives our lives texture, experiences to grow from, developing deeper friendships, and as we deal with the shadows, hopefully we deal with them in ways that allow us to stay focused on what we need and want. And keep on dancing!
)
Natasha – I love your Leaping Lady – she’s so joyful!I have not kept a journal in years – I may have to come by your shop soon and check out your journals – Wishing you and everyone a wonderful & prosperous 2010!!!!
Lisian – sometimes people say the right thing in the right moment…for me that moment was right now….as I read this I fell in love with the idea of a “texture of life”…look for a blog post about this…..that was just beautiful…I love when something sends me on my way thinking, mulling, enjoying the very thought of it…and thank you for my leaping lady…I so love her and would LOVE for you to check out my journals….should be by the weekend….I’m soooooo nervous to send them out there and yet I feel it’s natural…something I’m supposed to do…may sound crazy but …well, I feel it inside
Happy, Sparkling New Year to you…I think it’s going to be a great one for us all