Happy New Year!!!!

It's gotta be the most optimistic moment of the year when the clock strikes twelve and millions of people shout “HAPPY NEW YEAR!” Think about it. For one moment….one small moment millions are smiling, millions are optimistic about the future, millions are in agreement! Doesn’t seem possible does it. So what happens in the 525,599 minutes that follow making up the New Year? Come on, we screamed “HAPPY NEW YEAR”, so it must mean it’s all happy after that……or is it.

The truth is, we do have happy moments. Lots of them. We also have not so happy moments. Does this mean all is lost, no it doesn’t. It means life is happening. It’s a windy road this thing called life, but we can still be happy, and I’ll tell you a secret…..we can be happy in many of what we consider not so happy moments.

I remember when my Grandma passed away. It was crushing, and let me tell you, I was no pretty sight at the funeral!!! You know how women get when they are walling, the big gulps of air & crying out like all is lost, well that was me. I was downright embarrassing, and you know what, I didn’t care. I loved my Grandma and I was grieving. As the day progressed, stories were told, memories shared, some laughs, some smiles, because even though I was in pain, I was happy for having had her as a precious part of my life for so many years. I was remembering the times she gave me cookies, and never said I word when I snuck another. How she would tuck me and my brother in bed as small children and smile as I giggled and kicked my feet to loosen up the tight bedding. How I went to visit and here was this 80+ year old woman wearing the bunny slippers I’d bought her for Christmas. Now here I am so many years later, and because I chose to be, I miss her, but I am not consumed with grief and miserable, I am still remembering and sharing what she meant to me.

I want each of us to truly have a Happy New Year. Not to live in grief of the mistakes of last year, or the loss of loved ones, or the regrets. Leave them in last year. It’s a new year, a new opportunity for hope and a future. Look at mistakes as a chance to learn. Loss of loved ones as what they were, a chance to love and be loved. And regrets…..if you can change it DO and if you can’t LET IT GO. Get out there and find your happiness in the New Year, choose to see the silver lining and remember you’re not alone; we are all on the same journey.

And by the way……HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!