It’s been a hell of a year.
You brought me a slew of amazing relationships.
Some were easy, some were not, but all of them worth it in the end. People come and people go, but those that weather through the good and the bad and work alongside you are the most important ones.
You brought me amazing memories.
Silly Greek mixers with amazing people. Conversations on rooftops until late hours in the middle of the week. Excursions to a cabaret. Adventures across Texas and Missouri in Dallas, Austin, McKinney, Carrollton, The Colony, St. Louis, Columbia. Good food and art openings. Long runs and lots of sweaty workout clothes. Failed internships and ones that were the perfect fit. Photoshoots and videos. Italian exploits. Loud, love-filled choruses of “Happy Birthday” in two languages. New people. Not-so-new people but new friendships. Impromptu nights of clubbing. A kick-ass football season. Second chances.
You taught me faith and understanding.
There are some things in this vast universe that are completely out of our control. Sometimes, you just have to take a step back, take a deep breath, and believe. If it’s meant to be, it will be.
You taught me patience and perseverance.
All good things come in due time, if only you are willing to put forth the effort to make them work. Sometimes, working towards improvement is painful but necessary. All worthwhile things in life are worth fighting for and are worth working towards. Be it in two weeks or two years – if it’s meant to be, it will be, and additional effort won’t kill you.
You taught me trust.
Sometimes, we must realize that in order for fate to work its magic, we have to let our guard down and put our trust in others. Let them help us, and let us help them in return when they need it most. Let go, and let it happen.
You taught me the value of cardio.
A good pair of running shoes or road bike or swimsuit, hard work, and sweat will alleviate a frenzied mind and will rebalance a shaken spirit. And there’s always time to go for a short little run. It’s good for the body, but even better for the mind and spirit – especially when you begin to see improvements in agility and endurance.
You taught me to be present-minded.
There’s little sense in worrying about the future if it’s detracting from the present and what’s happening right now. The future is endless and infinite, filled with too many possibilities beyond comprehension; the present is right now and it’s fleeting – you only get one shot at today.
You taught me strength.
Even when one of your worst fears becomes reality, the world keeps turning and life goes on. The heart may ache, and breathing may seem laborious, but blood keeps pumping through your body and you are still alive. You are still moving forward, even if each step forward is marred by half a step back; even if each good day is marred by a horrible hour – or a few.
You taught me love.
Love is patient, love is kind; love is a cliche – until you know what it really means. Love is laughter; love is heart-wrenching decisions that you don’t want to make but know you have to. Love is memories; love is letting someone incredibly important to you go because you know it’s time for the next leg of their journey. Love is affection in many forms – hugs, kisses, shoulders to cry on, invitations to come over for feline therapy, dinners cooked, phone calls answered; love is saying “see you later,” never “goodbye.”
Bring it on, 2015. Let me see what you’ve got.
xx
ola