This was a challenging year for me. I started the year wanting to remove myself from a collaborative project that I was involved in because I didn't feel my voice really mattered and I was frustrated by the direction and pace of the project. 
​
I wanted the freedom to run amuck, think outside the box, make mistakes, learn and grow. But mainly I wanted to write. Actual stories not something regurgitated from the Internet. I wanted to CREATE! And do something that excited me and made me feel alive!

So, after a totally unexpected turn of events (later realized this was a sign from God) I thought it over and with much fear and trepidation, I let go of the safe cocoon I'd been in for the past two and a half years.  It was a little sad for me because closing that chapter not only meant losing some friendships that I had once treasured, but it also meant I'd be totally on my own...sink or swim. No squad. No team.

But once I truly let go and stopped allowing myself to be distracted, it was the most exhilarating experience ever! For the first time in a very long time I didn't second guess myself. I learned just how capable I really am and I'm not talking about just from a creative standpoint but from a building and networking standpoint as well.  I'm am so incredibly proud of myself and everything I've achieved this year- real measurable goals that actually brought in some income! And the bonus is that I'm building a legacy! 

2015 was a year of unexpected change and unbelievable growth and it all started with the courage to close a chapter of my life that had come to an end. 

If you are hanging on to a situation whether it's a job or relationship that isn't making you feel valued or happy or it's keeping you from living your best life, I challenge you to let go- close that chapter and turn a new page in 2016. Especially if you know in your gut that nothing is going to get better as long as you remain in that situation. Believe in yourself, trust yourself.....you're a lot stronger than you know! 

I thought about the best advice I’d ever received and I always come back to the same words:

“Just because you’re having a bad day doesn’t give you the right to take it out on everyone else.  It’s not their fault.”

These words were handed to me from the branch manager at the bank where I was a teller. At the time, I was very young and had a chip on my shoulder and the words went in one ear and out the other.  But over the years I recalled those words whenever I dealt with people.  I never wanted to be known as the “girl with the attitude”, so I regardless to what was going on in my life I always made a conscious effort to temper my responses, remarks and attitude when dealing with other people. Even now,  I try to focus on being positive, helpful and friendly.  I think maintaining this type of outlook has helped me immensely throughout my life.  I think we’re all on a very unique journey and we make it difficult for our fellow travelers when we project our issues on to them.   Lest we forget, the golden rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31.
​
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?