7 for SEVEN – A gratitude practice

Hello my loves, I am so filled with gratitude for you.

Things have been VERY quiet in this space for months. But it’s a brand new year and here’s to new beginnings and starting again. How awesome it is that I am still here to try again.

2016 was a great year and it was a heavy year and it was every thing in between, a true roller-coaster ride of emotions. I kinda lost my blogging way a bit. And it was okay. Because I always wanted to come to this space to add value. So I don’t feel too badly about not publishing much for 2016.

I have set some new goals and intentions for this space for this year. And I’m sitting here now, feeling positive, grateful and hopeful for all that is to come – whatever that might be. I’ve got my big girl Jedi panties on…I’m s0 ready for 2017.

That’s why I’m using the energy of this fresh start to share my first 7 for Seven for this spanking new year – to get going once again.

…every Monday, we post seven positives from the previous seven days of the week as a reminder of what we have so that the week starts out on an upswing. There is much truth in the belief that happy people attract good things, so it is important to start the week out right. Sometimes it’s the more grand, but other times, it’s the simple things.~ Key + Arrow

7 for Seven originated at Key + Arrow and now let’s get into my first 7 for 2017:

Starting.

This new year has started with much promise. I am looking forward to continuing to build upon the things I started in 2016. Yes in many ways a lot remains the same, but I have resolved to go hard, start strong though small and take it one baby step at a time, working in silence until my success speaks for itself.

The little light that is now 10mths old. 

My family witnessed our own little miracle in 2016. My nephew came into this world and has changed all of our lives for the better. I cannot begin to describe the love I feel for him, he has taken his chubby little fingers and wrapped them around my heart. I am so awed and hopeful for the future.

Adulting.

The struggle is real! There are no guide books on how to manoeuver this phase in life. You’re pretty much making it up as you go…mostly by making mistakes and learning from them. When you don’t learn the lesson…that shit comes back to bite you on the ass until you do. Here’s to learning my lessons well in 2017 with no do-overs.

Not Everything Is About Me.

Everybody is fighting their own battle, their own demons. And most times, they are caught up in their own drama. So I’m trying not to take things personally. Learning to let some things go will be the best skill you can develop. I’m learning this the hard way…but I am learning.

Sticking with my fitness plan.

I am happy to report that I have stuck with my goal for getting healthy in 2016. I’ve 20lbs since June 14th. I changed my diet and I workout 6 days a week – God bless my Fitbit because it reminds me that I need to keep moving. My goal is 30lbs overall and I am very pleased to say that I’m seeing positive results. I’m looking forward to hitting my goal in the first quarter of this year.

Conquering personal mountains.

December wasn’t easy – unexpected loss and my friends in grief turned what is usually a festive, happy time, one of sadness and shock. My take-away from that experience was to LIVE. To live a life that I can be proud of. To love hard and to not be afraid to start again. We all have this one, short life. Sometimes, it’s going to be uphill and you might have obstacles in your path to crawl over. And sometimes it will be nice and shady and some moments will take your breath away. Sometimes you will need to ask for help. You will fall and you will get up. And yes, you can go it alone…but it is far more fun to travel with friends, people you love, people you can belly laugh with and have coffee (or wine) with. Getting to the top is only part of the fun. But oh so worth it! And you will never know, unless you take the first step forward. You have to start. You have to be unafraid to live. To be seen.

Hygge

And finally, I am grateful for the Danish concept of hygge.  Hygge (pronounced HOO-GAH) seems to be everywhere these days but it is about enjoying life’s simple pleasures – in my case: Family. Friends. Coffee.

I hope that by continuing to pay attention to the little things, the mundane details that make up all the blessings in my life and by sowing the seeds of faith and gratitude, I can truly carry with me and reap the rewards of “positivity + balance + bliss” throughout the days ahead.

Thank you for reading, I appreciate you! This is me blowing some glitter and confetti on you because you’re super blessed to have received the gift of another 86,400 seconds today, to spend any way you desire.

Make those seconds count!

I love hearing from you…what are you grateful today? How has 2017 started for you? Feel free to share below!