11 days into 2018....
Reflecting on 2017 I would sum up the past year into one word-growth. I know that every year we strive to grow, whether that be emotionally, physically, financially, etc. but this past year has been full of immense opportunities and moments of growing in many aspects.
Some of the most vivid reflections take me back to the lush landscape of Bali surrounded by infinite love and acceptance of the beautiful souls in my yoga training. My whole year felt like it lead up to that trip, that place, that experience, that growth.
2017 I began to understand balance yoga provides in my chaotic life. Since coming back from Bali I have taught free classes back in LaCrosse and I began teaching at a real studio in my hometown over winter break. In the midst of feeling very balanced and content, towards the end of the year life presented some tough challenges as it always does.
*December 26th I received a text message from my step-dad with news that my grandfather had passed away. I had just visited over Thanksgiving break and he remembered who I was despite his progressive Lewy body dementia, little to say that I was devastated and heart broken.
*December 29th I attended the most emotionally exhausting funeral. I formally met my (ex) step-dads girlfriend for the first time of the 3 years they have been together. This was the biggest step in accepting his new relationship.
*December 31st- I reconnected with my cousin whom I haven't seen in over 8 years!
*January 1st- spent the day at the most overly-stimulating place in the entire world...The Mall of America.
*January 2nd I got into a car accident- totaled my car- I am 100% healthy and no one else was involved. I hit black ice and on a back road…Needless to say I dropped the online class I was driving to go pick up my books for.
Looking at this last week of 2017, I could be pessimistic and think about how all of these shitty things that happened....but in all honesty I am grateful for each of these occurrences.
My grandfathers death reconnected me with my step dad's family. I forgot what is was like to be so embraced by unconditional love despite the circumstances. My grandfathers death gave me the courage to meet my dad's girlfriend after 3 years.
Totaling my car gave me permission to drop my online class and use my winter break to recuperate after an exhausting semester. This also forced me to make some financially responsible decisions...like buying a new car to get me to and from work instead of going on vacation in July....
Despite the rocky start the first 11 days into the New Year I have given myself a clean slate and I have been teaching yoga, going to doctors appointments to get to the bottom of my chronic stomach pains, and working on building my art portfolio for grad school next year.
2018 will be full of even more growth and patience and focus- hopefully I will be getting a regular summer job, graduating in the winter of 2018, applying for graduate schools and hopefully moving to the Twin Cities (and becoming a dog mom...hint hint to Joshua if you are reading this).
2017 exceeded my expectations and I am excited to see what 2018 has in store.