December 31, 2011

Happy New Year's Eve!

This year had ups and downs, struggles and triumphs. But through all of this, I had one constant... myself. If I have learned anything at all, it is that I can be as strong, vulnerable, responsible and happy as I want to be. I am my own worst enemy and most importantly, I am my biggest fan. There are so many dichotomies in life but there is only one truth. From the center of my being, my "soul" purpose in this life is to love as deeply as I can. All of my travels, experiences and relationships bring me back to this one and only truth. I am alway doing my very best to live within this space (including the mistakes). Every single day can be full of wonder (even the difficult ones). EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. You just have to be willing to see it.

I am grateful to be spending the last day of the year exactly the way I brought in the first day... with my favorite person in the whole world. Hello 2012, what will you have to offer?

December 30, 2011

I cannot lie, I did have expectations for this year. As much as I try not to have them, they always seem to creep in to my consciousness. I don't think I can avoid them altogether but I do believe I can work with them. Expectations are there to remind me of what it is I can let go of. 

I had expectations of this being a year of wonder. What I learned about is all the different kinds of wonder there are in this world. Every moment is filled with an opportunity to learn something I did not know before. There are sad moments and happy moments, painful ones and blissful ones. This year was perfect because it was exactly the way it was supposed to be whether I liked it or not. 

December 29, 2011

Back to the real world.

As much as I do not despise my job, going back to work after a vacation is always a bit of a downer. But getting back to my normal routine does give me a sense of comfort. Sometimes, living so far away can be challenging but I am not sure I would want it any other way. I love my life in California and I love visiting my family in New Jersey. It has yet to be so challenging that I don't want to do it anymore. My vision is that it only becomes easier as time goes on. I believe this will be true.

December 28, 2011

The kind of friends that you only see once or twice a year but can pick right up as if you see each other all the time... are the absolute best. There are no ice breakers and no need for annoying, polite conversations. I think it is the definition of a true friendship, and a reminder of that place inside of us where the authenticity resides. I don't think this kind of relationship is available if you are not in touch with your truth. True friendship means not having to hide your Self. 

December 27, 2011

As children, we make mistakes all the time... it is how we learn. And when you witness a child making a mistake, do you berate them, make fun of them or tell them they are never do anything right?  I sure hope not. So, why do it to yourself when you make a mistake? 

December 26, 2011

The Christiano Christmas Day.

Seeing Luke tear through his presents and only stop to open the container of popcorn and take a few bites was all I needed to complete this holiday. I love that little guy the most!

December 25, 2011

On this Christmas day, I want to thank my Mom for creating the best Christmases ever. Perhaps we didn't do much celebrating on this particular Christmas but for the rest of my life, I will always remember Christmas as the most magically phenomenal day of the year. I hope to create that same feeling for my children one day.

Merry Christmas!

December 24, 2011

Christmas Eve... A time to remember how lucky I am to have married into the Marini family. I love them all!

December 23, 2011

Let's be honest here... as a woman, there are responsibilities that we have that men just don't have. I am not man bashing here and I am not saying that women are the greatest and we do everything. I have tried so hard in my relationship to make everything equal. But if this were really the case, I am not sure any holiday plans would be organized... at all. So, instead of forcing the issue of equality and stressing myself out beyond reason, I have learned to just figure it out and make the plans myself.

My husband doesn't really make plans, and I do. So, either I force him to do something out of character, or just organize myself efficiently and calmly. Hmmm... which one sounds better to you?

December 22, 2011

Releasing old baggage makes room for new experiences. This said baggage can be literal or figurative. Whatever it may be, if it is no longer serving you, it is simply not worth holding on to. However, I can understand that there may be an attachment to the memory, a feeling that the "baggage" defines you in some way, or a misbelief that it may one day be of use. I assure you that the freedom from these thoughts and these things far outweighs the pressure you may be putting on yourself to hold on to them.

Release that which no longer serves and make room for that which does (or perhaps make room for more things that you will in turn have to release a couple years from now... nobody said you only have to do it once)

December 21, 2011

As an adult, I have never had to deal with the death of somebody very close to me (besides my 18 year old dog... and that was difficult enough). I don't know what it feels like and I can't pretend to understand the loss. I am actually quite afraid of the day that I will have to experience it but I try not to let that cloud my thoughts.

I believe that if it gives somebody comfort to think that there is another realm, a place where their loved one's soul continues to reside, offering an opportunity to connect to a deeper source or a deeper part of Self, then so it is. Where is the harm in that? Just because somebody is no longer physically with us, it does not mean that we can no longer learn from them.

December 20, 2011

The beauty of being prepared is that you can have a Home Alone type wake-up and still make it to the airport on time with many minutes to spare. And... we didn't even forget Kevin!

Let the Christmas vacation begin.