365 New Days

It's a new year.
Today is page1.
It's a blank slate.
Anything can happen.
What will you do with the next 365 new chances you are given?

I usually start off every year thinking about all of the things that didn't go the way I planned and how I am going to fix that in the upcoming year ahead. I didn't lose the weight I wanted. I didn't spend enough time taking care of myself. I wasn't as good of a wife/friend/sister/daughter that I could have been. The list, if I let it be, could be endless.

This year, I decided to try something different. Instead of focusing on all the things that I didn't accomplish, I am going to reflect and focus on all of the beautiful, amazing things that did happen. Take stock of my blessings and focus on all that I have to be grateful for. I will move into this new year with a grateful heart.  I am going to start a gratitude journal and fill it with all the good things that happen along the way. At the end of 2017, I will have a journal to look back on and see all of the awesome stuff that happened.

As I sit here, looking at the last glow from the Christmas tree, watching my sweet husband cuddling on the couch with our dog, my heart is full. Life is good. It's not always easy. Life is messy and hard and complicated but it's also beautiful and full of so much love if you just take a breathe and take a moment to soak it all in. It doesn't always have to be big grand things that make life amazing. Honestly, it's all the little things, everyday things that make life wonderful.

Things for me, like:

Family

Friends

Health

Home

Dogs

Sunrises and sunsets

Chocolate

Cups of tea

Shells

Ocean waves

Laughter

Hugs

Books

Long walks

Adventures

Music

Being creative

Singing

Kisses

Memories

Flowers

Good hair days

Kindness

Happy tears

Traditions

Yoga

Love

That doesn't mean that you have to be content to stay where you are. Dream big. Go out into the world and make a change. Do new things. Challenge yourself. Be brave. Love what you see in the mirror. Appreciate yourself. Take adventures. Volunteer. Have fun. Spread love and kindness everywhere you go. And live each day with a grateful heart.

May your new year be filled with magic, dreams, joy, peace, love and laughter.

Happy New Year!