I have heard many say it around me, and it does mean something, 2014 FLEW like I can never remember.  In looking back, there is so much to remember, so much to reflect on, and so much to be thankful for.

Yes, I did skip my traditional on Thanksgiving Day blog post of thanks because I knew there would be so much more to be thankful for in the days to come and yes, that was certainly true.

Based on the many personal achievements from gaining a new Master’s Degree, to working through the previous and current adventures of an artistic magazine known as Repentino., to learning through positive and negative experiences, feedback, and enlightening, disappointing, and light bulb moments, I did realize some of the most important things…

“Weather” the hard times despite the initial urge to lash out. In simply lashing out, you create a dead end, no other choices.  In riding out the bad times, they lead to future chances to make it better, or to simply allow yourself an opportunity.  I learned this on personal, academic and professional level.

DO indeed, despite it being more difficult, give attention to the details.  The more time I spent going over the details, sending out the thanks to individuals rather than to as a group when I could, the more thankful I was and will be later on as well.

Reconnect and continue to connect with the amazing friends/family you once had, patch up disagreements, and strengthen communication, this lasts longer than any phone network, agreement, internet connection, or technology innovation, and it lasts a lifetime without regret.

Open up more opportunities for nothing but reading, reflecting, or last minute plans to head somewhere, even if sometimes they do not happen.  Those lull moments I am still getting used to, but never had, and relish them now more than ever!

Use your education, skills, and expertise in creative and different ways at least once a month. Diving into unknown areas has been the most rewarding aspect of 2014 for me, and I have learned so much due to that revelation.

Others think they know you, but you know you.  Stick with what your heart says is true.  So often negative attitudes, words, or thoughts can stop you in your tracks from moving forward anywhere.  Some mistake confidence for cockiness.  As long as you move forward, are confident and do not let anyone, anything, stop you, ad you include others in your plans along the way, as well as yourself, do not fret.  It all works out for the better.

Distance is always compromised by good intentions.  Never let the distance in miles cut off relationships with those that can support you, and you them.  Truly, it is easy to connect with someone across the world today, but doing so with a purpose to help others and delve into your creative side is more than a connection, more than uniting the miles when you put heart into that connection.

As 2014 turns into 2015, the above and many more resolutions realized, that are achievable, will strengthen not only our countries, but the connections we maintain to keep each of us going.  It could be through the written word, the stage, the sounds and music we hear, the families we belong to and create, as well as the word we read and are told, but what it comes down to is, be true to yourself and those around you.  I am now 100% this is true after seeing how amazing 2014 was and how lucky I was to be surrounded by the individuals that made 2014 that way  🙂

Have a well deserved 2014 closing and a 2015 that starts off with areas to be fulfilled!