Reflecting on 2013 as the New Year is almost here I wonder WHERE did the year go?! I feel like every year goes a bit faster than the one before. I think of my year and know there were some highs and there were some lows. I learned a lot about myself and am excited to apply that to the next chapter/year/journey/adventure. There was a lot of FUN too -hello {never ending} wedding season and country concerts (specifically Nashville CMA Fest-LOVE it!!!). I am excited for 2014 because it is a new start, a new chapter, a new experience and memories to be made. There are some things that I don't want to ever live through again, and I don't want to dwell on them either. It is always easy to focus on the negative, or bad things that happen to us, but instead of wasting that energy try to learn from what happened. (I know many of you are probably rolling your eyes right now) BUT I AM SERIOUS-maybe it is the part of me that always wants to see the positive in everything. I mean, don't get me wrong, I can go to Negative Land with the best of them. However, I would rather NOT go there. Life is too short.
I saw an interesting quote the other day. For years I would say to myself (and others) we create our own happiness...which I do believe. But this 'happiness' quote made me think about happiness in a completely different way:
Happiness is a journey, not a destination…
For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to
begin-real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be
gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt
to be paid. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. This perspective
has helped me see there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So
treasure every moment you have and remember that time waits for no one.
I'm challenging myself to think of all the 'setbacks' and 'roadblocks' as part of the big lesson, the big picture, and most importantly-my journey in life! Kelly Clarkson said it best in one of her songs 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger!' :)
So Cheers to a fantastic 2013...I'm looking forward to the adventure (and the happiness journey!) that 2014 will bring~
