What 2018 Meant to Me

For me, 2018 started out with three words: “find my balance”. It was a mantra and an oath. A quest and a personal prescription. The previous year had been filled with turmoil, uncertainty, and grief and I knew that 2018 would have to be different. I began my quest by surrounding myself with friends and family when I needed people to lean on. I pushed myself to try things that sometimes made me uncomfortable. I hiked volcanoes, I learned to surf, I swam with turtles, I rode in a helicopter, and I even flew a small airplane. Alone, I pitched a tent on a cliff and listened for whales late into the night. I tried new foods, expanded my circle of friends, and opened myself up to the possibility of love. I practiced self-care. I discovered a passion for hiking and I rediscovered my love of art. I spent precious time with my two beautiful nieces. I achieved goals and set new ones. Close friends gave me room to make mistakes and as we talked things through we learned to depend on each other. They showed me that love is greater than fear, stronger than sadness, and unimaginably abundant.

As I regained my balance and let go of my grief, I planted my feet firmly on the ground, placed one foot in front of the other, and slowly I began to run. I experienced intense personal growth; years of life lessons compressed into twelve short months. Not only have I found my balance, but I have also found a renewed sense of hope, strength, perseverance, and deeper relationships with those I love. The year flew by.

As I look ahead to 2019, two words loom largely on the horizon, like a sunrise growing brighter by the moment. “Dream Big,” the universe seems to be telling me. Little does it know, I already am.