Goodbye 2012. A year in review and what I have learned

So here we are at the end of another year. In a few short days we will be ringing in another year with our resolutions that we may or may not keep. We made it past the predicted end of the world, so we should make it count right? So how was your year looking back?

My year seemed to blow by so quickly that the last few days I have sat and reflected on it. We are in fact in a new cycle of life aren't we. Isn't that what the end of the Mayan calendar really meant? My 2012 had a mixture of ups and downs. I learned a lot this year, about myself, about people, about life. I am looking at 2013 with hopes that it will indeed be much better than 2012.

In March of this year we left our home in Brooklyn, NY and moved to Florida, not an unknown territory for me however, I was returning as a completely different person than when I left in 1996. We spent months searching for a house, purchased a new vehicle and moved into our new home and my oldest daughter graduated high school. Just in those short few months I learned so much and instead of stewing on it continuously I decided that I will just learn and throw it in the past. In less than a week I start a new chapter in my life. I am returning to school so I can finally get a career, a little late in the game but better late than never.

My family and I took an amazing cross country trip, I got to see and visit places I have only seen in pictures. We walked the Golden Gate Bridge, we drove down Lombard Street, spent time with some amazing people who I have so much love and respect for. I got to spend time with a friend who I had not seen in a few years, and learned so much about our country, and the Navajo people who are just amazing. What an amazing journey it was.

Fall seemed to be the beginning of what seems to be an unending nightmare. I say seems because it is still happening. We have lost so many people in our family since August, mostly to cancer, some to other illnesses but for the most part death has chosen cancer to be the breaker of hearts in our family. I honestly fear my phone ringing or getting a text. It seems like every time is bad news, and I don't see how I sleep at night. All the stress of losing loved ones has done nothing but caused me to have irritation in my stomach. Another person in my family is dying now, and again it is cancer. This person has been special in my life although we had grown apart. I recently got to speak to him and let him know that mistakes are made, and that I love him dearly. I wish I hadn't waited so long but we both come from a long line of stubbornness.

I know this, life is too short. Love those who truly love you, forget the fake people in your life. To be healthy you have to participate in life, lose stress if you can and go out and enjoy every single day. Shitty days will come and go, but what you do with it is up to you. If you want to lose weight, change the way you eat, but you also have to exercise and take care of yourself. The people who call themselves your friends, if they are they will be there no matter what, if they aren't they will slowly disappear. If that happens, let them go because people like that will only bring you down.

I am going to try in 2013 try to focus more on the good and less on the bad. I will try and focus more on my weight loss, making our home the way we want it, and just being happy. I forgot how to live in the last few years for letting other people into my head. In 2013 it will be about the new me and making my  little family happy. So what will you do? Make it count, your getting another chance to make your life fantastic, don't waste it, others do not have the ability. Love, Peace, Health and a Happy New Year to you all!