Happy New Year?

Happy New Year everyone!  May 2016 bring you much joy, love, peace, abundance and especially good health.

Good-bye 2015.

As I scanned the FB feed last night, I was immediately struck by all the profound status posts from my friends.  Many were recalling events of the past year, feeling gratitude for their blessings, saying good-bye to old friends and demons.  Some were giving the proverbial finger to the past year.  Yes, it was difficult for most people.  I sat in quiet contemplation, feeling that I should share a profound status update, because of all that I and my family had endured this past year.  Yet, I found it almost impossible.  The more I thought of it, the more tense I became, until finally, I had to retire to bed. My husband and son went downstairs and played rock band for several hours.  I didn't mind being alone. I need it more than I can say.

This past year was filled with so many ups and downs.  When I reflect upon it all, it seems like ages ago.  I don't know if this is chemo brain at work or my way of coping with it all.  While going though cancer is no easy ride, I would say that in the end, there was more good than bad.  I'm here.  I'm alive and breathing.  My hair is growing more and more and my nails are almost back to normal.  I'm still fatigued and have PTSD at times whenever I experience a strange ache or pain.  I know this is nothing unusual and hopefully will subside with time.  I'm grateful for the love and support of my family, neighbors, friends, my husbands employer and great doctors.

Despite all that I endured, my art business thrived and I can say it was one of the best years for me in way of sales and artistic growth.  I am excited about the direction it is all going.  Doors of opportunity are on the horizon and I am ready to step though without fear of failure or success.

Like many, I look forward to the new year with hope and anticipation.  Yet, I will be honest, January has never been a favorite month for me.  It has often been the precursor of gloom and doom.  I'm not kidding.  I received the breast cancer diagnosis on January 9th of last year (an anniversary that is haunting me a bit).  We have experienced job loss in January, major car repairs and other issues.  Not to mention that it is the coldest and often snowiest month if you live in New England.  This January, we have a Mercury Retrograde to contend with, oh joy.  Sorry, if I seem a bit pessimistic.  It has just never been a favorite month and I do relish ticking the days off the calendar.  I will try and do my best to remain optimistic, as I begin the month with follow-up mammograms, doctor visits and yes, a car repair.

Still, as I said, I have so much to be grateful for and I am blessed, blessed, blessed.  So, my advise to everyone out there who may read this blog, is do what makes you happy today (and everyday), but especially today.  Like your birthday, do the things that you love and set the course for how you wish the year to look.  If you are a creative, do something creative.  If you love nature, spend a bit of time in it, even if it is cold.  Write a bit of poetry.  Listen to beautiful music.  Eat good, nourishing food. Sit in quiet reflection. Spend quality time with your family.  Call an old friend.  Hug and kiss like you mean it.  Be in gratitude.  Remember, you are the magician of your life.  All magic lies within.  May 2016 be everything you ever dreamed.

Much love to you all!!