A reflection of the past year

As always with this time of year, comes reflection. The year is about to come to an end, a new year is beginning and we often times look back at how we spent the year in disappointment. We focus on things that we didn't do but should have, what we wanted to do but didn't, who we did and most definitely shouldn't have, and sometimes as happy and light bringing in the new year is with champagne and friends, it can also be so depressing and so final. I have always been really hard on myself. An over achiever who just doesn't achieve and I always would reflect on the year past in disbelief and irritation. I shouldn't have wasted so much time, I should have gone this direction, I shouldn't have done that, I should travel here...yada yada yada. Instead, I'm going to try something different in a succession of blogs to come. First and foremost, this will be my ghost of the years past blog. I'm going to write about what I have learned in the past year. What are tribulations without some lessons right? Then I will write about the ghost of the year present, where I am at right now, in this moment and how I at least plan to keep my sanity while I'm stuck here. Then it will be the ghost of the year future! What are my goals, my plans, my solutions (remember last year I said I will no longer make resolutions, it will simply be solution?). Notice how I just dropped the "re" there, clever play on words I know, but totally different meaning! Love the English language.

What I have learned in 2010:

1. You have to live in the present. You are welcome to be excited for the future, but don't spend your days living it. Focus on where you are today and what you need to get done today. You will move forward faster than you think

2. It's okay that I am not June Cleaver. Some days I will have to dig through laundry baskets for a towel, or have to actually wash a plate if I don't want to eat from a paper towel.

3. Most of the time I have no idea what I am doing, and I'm going to forgive myself of this for one more year (26 Michele! You better get it together by 26)!

4. Sometimes you have a bad day. That is why days are only 24 hours long. On these days it is completely appropriate to have wine for dinner and go to bed as early as possible to make the day seem shorter.

5. You should make time for yourself everyday. One day when there is no time for you, you will feel guilty for not taking advantage of that time, so why not feel guilty now while doing it!

6. You do not always have to be doing something. Not doing anything is actually something!

7. You should not attempt to make homemade meals from scratch when you haven't mastered recipes yet.

8. Your time is precious. You need to make time for people that you love but you have to make sure they are worth it. You can't always be putting in the effort.

9. You can always go home again, and there truly is no place like home!

10. Life is about experiences. It isn't about having a lot of money, driving a fancy car, it is about meeting new people, trying new things, and the memories we create while doing so! Love the life you living, because we all die, but not all of us live, and being alive does not mean we are living (yes I stole this from Nikki Minaj! It wouldn't be a 2010 "rap" up if I didn't lol! Uh, love play on words!