THIS IS IT! 2008

A blank slate. A mound of clay to be molded.

What are YOU gonna create? How are YOU gonna shape your life this year?

So many times in life, we leave situations and tell ourselves (and er’ybody else that “next time, it’s gonna be different”). What I learned along the way is that “it” doesn’t need to be different, I do. The situation, the relationship, the job, whatever it is…all “it” has to do is be what it is. “YOU” are the most fluid in the situation.

I love New Years. Outside of Christmas, it’s my favorite holiday. And no, it’s NOT just because it’s the day before my birthday (although from a “party” perspective, it IS a cool A bday - there’s ALWAYS a party going on so do you ever REALLY need to throw your own? Shhhhh! Don’t let that get around.).

I think it’s the NEWNESS of it all. Getting another chance to do things differently. To start over - where I am, with what I have, with what I know….and to do “IT” better. To BE better. To DO better. To HAVE better. To LIVE better. TO LOVE BETTER.

We all know the world is full of craziness and bad news. But what I also know is that beautiful moments are born in my life every single day. Every single day. In the face of craziness, liars, unemployment, family issues, war, racism, etc. - the same ish you deal with. Yet, those beautiful moments keep coming. I spent 12 months just sitting and watching joy unfold on da regular in my life. And I was never disappointed. Never.

And it wasn’t the big, over the top moments that really made my breath catch in my throat. It was the little things: sitting on my end of the futon reading a book into the wee hours of the morning while Princess So Fabulous did the same on the other end; meeting “Poi” at the salad bar while fighting a sinus headache & having him offer to beat up a pineapple for me; watching K write his name; reciting lines from “The 5 Heartbeats” with D and from “The Color Purple” with Bubbles; finding some purple flowers blooming at the steps on my deck; meeting Ms. Thelma at the drycleaners and having her treat me to lunch and a healthy dose of wisdom; waking up early enough to watch the sun rise over the lake; rum punch, margaritas & martinis…

Whether you make resolutions…or goals…or whatever, make this year count. LIVE INTENTIONALLY. Be bold about your life. Be courageous. Be willing to learn, grow, challenge yourself. Stretch. Dig deep. Love deeper. And always, always laugh out loud.

Let JOY be the theme music for your life. The ever-present backdrop. Be thankful for all that comes your way. Treat yourself, and the world around you, with love & respect. Be boldly and uniquely YOU.

Here’s to everything great about you. Let it shine!

Live DELICIOUSLY!

~ J ~

*~* QUOTABLE *~*