2015... Thank you and Goodbye
Greetings from Andes, NY! I welcomed 2016 in an NYC bar, and reveled in the confetti rain of Times Square. The City never ceases to amaze me with an energy that bleeds individuality, hope, and new beginnings. I spent three days reconnecting with an amazing person who years ago showed me exactly what it means to follow your dreams! I remember years ago when she came to my office and told me, "I'm moving to New York for my art." How bold is that? To feel your passion so deeply in your bones, and chase it to the other side of the country. Fast forward four years later and she has her Masters in Art, and is showing at the LA art show! Her paintings are worth thousands, and she has a level of satisfaction and happiness that is tangible. I am so proud of you Katie!
To kick off 2016, I also wanted to disconnect, in a hope to reconnect to what is important. I have found myself in a one room schoolhouse cabin, 5 miles off a main road, and 20 min to what we spoiled folk consider "civilization"; no cell phone service, just wifi, which went out day one. However, I was left with a multitude of time to think about where I have come from, where I am now, and where I hope to go. What I found, is 2015 taught me the most about my strength; I am living on my own for the first time in forever; and as cheesy as it may sound, I am discovering (maybe for the first time) who I am as an individual. "You are the company you keep," is what my dad said growing up. Kinda made me think, "If you are always "keeping company" then how can you truly understand or know 'you', without moments of desolation?"
This year, I decided that my only resolution is to be kind to myself and learn to say "no". I find myself having a severe case of FOMO, and always being a "yes" person. This leads to feelings of exhaustion; leaving no time for me or my priorities. A day off ends up feeling like a day of "catch up," instead of a day of living. No guarantees, but my goal and hope is to try and say "yes" less, and "no" more. 2016 is also my year to travel and experience new cultures; I always think, "The world is so small to stay stagnant; there is so much more to see." So I have awesome trips planned; some with friends and some alone. I started out in NY... next is Colorado with my second sister, Julia. The spring will take me to South America for 3.5 weeks; hiking Machu Picchu, exploring Chile, Patagonia, Argentina, and finishing in the rainforests of Peru. This fall you will find me in Africa with my friend Kimby; flying over and swimming in Victoria Falls, gorilla trekking in the heart of the Congo in the Virunga National Park, safari in the Serengeti, and relaxation in Zanzibar. These adventures will be full of excitement, but most of all an appreciation for culture I have yet to experience, and for all that we take for granted.
I hope 2016 brings you the ability to look through a lens of clarity and appreciation, allowing you to take the time to appreciate the fleeting moments that later become forgotten memories of daily life. Take time to breathe in the moments that are often discounted as stress and nuisance, while exhaling the negative experiences that lack the ability to changed and manipulated. Do not live in the past relishing on experiences that beg to be left in behind. Live in the moment of now. Live and breathe the beauty of being alive.