I sat down with Michael yesterday afternoon to complete a New Years writing exercise. We decided to put down on paper what we loved about 2014, what we didn’t love about 2014 and then of course our goals for 2015. I personally see New Years Resolutions as naïve, impractical and sadly, commercial. But that’s going into it blindly. Whereas I found this exercise encouraging thoughtful reflection and a great tool in stopping history from repeating itself, or letting history repeat itself when it comes to the good.

No need to read mine, maybe just skim it and hopefully it’ll inspire you to do the same!

Short version:

Nature (x100), tattoos, sacred geometry, art, travel, yoga, Ireland, France, babies, acid, marathon, Taven, spirituality, Puerto Rico, juicing, baths, Portland, Michael reading in his rocking chair, going off of birth control, Thanksgiving, deactivating Facebook, connection, and again anything outside.

Long version:

Finally! My first tattoo… and apparently the start of a half sleeve. An emotional and empowering experience that prompted a big interest in art. You can read all about it and view a few photos here.

Speaking of Art, Europe. Two weeks between Dublin and Paris. I felt at home in Ireland and the Cliffs of Moher are literally breath taking. Michael is a professional at driving a manual on the left side. Holy art and holy morbid, Paris is old and it doesn’t want your opinion. It is history. The Louvre has everything, happiness, sadness, life, death and annoying tourist selfie after selfie. French culture is special, it tastes amazing and it’s not rude. Meeting my mother at the metro upon her arrival goes down as a top out of body experience.

Attending to Shawna’s delivery. Georgie is my God-Daughter now. Someone pinch me. The waiting days leading up to the birth were so much fun… everyone kept busy and in good spirits. Despite Shawna’s insane pain tolerance, it was an emotionally draining night and it didn’t go as planned. But Shawna (and Chais) never gave up. They don’t give up on much of anything. Georgie was delivered naturally and she has no idea yet (or maybe she does) – how lucky she is to have her parents raising her. I’m even a little jealous. I’ll settle for Chais & Shawna as mentors and friends.

Was that an acid trip? Running the New York City Marathon solo (yet with 50,000+ others) was without a doubt a drug-like experience. I learned how insanely powerful the mind is and it’s something I vow to never ignore. I am so grateful for everyone that supported Taven’s fundraiser for the marathon and for my boyfriend who dealt with my depleted self with ease and class after the race.

Taking time off to take time on. In July, I completed a 200-hr Yoga Teacher Training in Boulder, CO. Not only did this strengthen my trust in women, but also it changed my wellbeing. The spirituality dump prompted so many late night discussions. The fundamentals of my practice were disrupted, for the better. I read so many books in such a short period of time, proving a few things to myself. Most importantly, just like any organized system (religion) or practice, don’t ever put your complete faith in a single ideology.

Challenging the status quo by living in Puerto Rico for all of March. One of my managers vocalized their disapproval (despite it being 100% legal) while another apprehensively supported it. To everyone’s surprise, my output actually increased that month. I attribute this to working hard to play hard. I loved Puerto Rico for its sun, its people, its ocean-side yoga sessions, waterfalls, roadside bars, car adventures, and island adventures. For those of you, my dear friends that flew down–thank you for keeping it magical.

What I didn’t love and what I see in 2015 will have to stay with Michael and I for now.

What I want to share more than anything is at first I found this year to be abnormally random and fun while reflecting back on it. But then I started to notice how one event prompted the next. The time I spent training and running the NYC marathon prompted the tattoo, the tattoo prompted a love for art and Paris, savasana on a beach near Rincon prompted my Yoga Teacher Training, YTT prompted so many late night discussions…

Each event created space for the next. It was and is so connected, it hurts my head yet feels amazing at the same time.

Don’t forget, this isn’t your year. And last year wasn’t yours either. This is your time though, as Tyler Kent White puts it. Be at ease and never stop moving.

-C