Dear 2007,
I’m not sure I know where to start…what to say…or how to say it. Some look at what you ushered into my life and label you “bad”, “wrong”, “ugly”, “scary” but I see something else – I see a teacher, a healer, a revealer. Thank you for teaching me that sometimes, to get the right picture (or get the picture right), I have to step back…or change my perspective, look at things from a different angle. And know that things are always open to different interpretations.

You slowed me down long enough to notice the beauty in the very ordinary – including myself. Slowed me down long enough to do some deep cleaning in my heart, mind, and soul. Slowed me down long enough to learn how to truly breathe. Slowed me down long enough to teach me how to listen to what my life was telling me – to hear it, to really truly HEAR it…not challenging it, not trying to remix the song it brought but simply to listen to it. Slowed me down long enough to clean the windows of my soul, the windows of my heart so that I can truly see clearly now.

Thank you for being my ever-present personal trainer…helping me get stronger, teaching me the true value of patience, showing me how to do the real heavy lifting, how to power lift. The true value of rest. You’ve been the best strength trainer I could have asked for.

No matter what the new year may bring, know that I will always – ALWAYS – value what we shared, the things you taught me, the role you played in taking me deeper into this journey to me. Thank you. For real.

Gratefully & Graciously Yours,
“J”