There I was with no plans for New Years ... no personal plans anyway. I had a few job offers but the lack of a proper budget prevented me from accepting the work. It wouldn't have even covered my cab fare there and back with all my gear. Frankly I was insulted at the offers available, so I had an invitation to spend it in a beautiful location with just the girls and a few adorable little people... (and when I say little people, I mean children) .
We left on the Friday afternoon and arrived a short while later. The 'cabin' was magnificent. A place I felt so at home in, like I had been there before but truly had never set eyes on previously. In fact I had drawn a picture of something meant to look exactly so when I was a teenager. The stunning views were ones I had had dreams about over the years since I was a girl. Each corner I turned brought a wave of deja vu, but I know I had never set foot there before.
As our midnight approached, we were all relaxed and really had no plan for the evening. Just us girls and the kids. There were no pretty fluffy dresses, masques, or tuxedos. Just most of us in PJ's and wrapped in warm blankets around a roaring fire, laughing with the kids, playing board games, dinner, and a movie. We were so engrossed in the movie, or perhaps half asleep in our cozy stupor, we didn't mark midnight until the neighbors on the iced over lake shot off fireworks. Startling as it was, it sounded like someone was banging on the windows at first. Then we saw the glittery explosions shoot past the windows like rockets in the night.
We toasted New Years and the texts and emails from loved ones far away arrived to all our phones like a tropical rainstorm, hitting us with all the drops at once.
The past year was a mixed bag of blessings, licking the wounds of my lost dream studio space. Rebuilding from the financial losses, which I am reminded of each time I pay a bill, or see the newly made money disappear like Houdini. The ending of weak and one sided relationships, the strengthening of bonds with clients that become trusted friends, and the blessed appearance of new friends that feel like centuries old connections.
With the passing of the old year comes a bright new future. The endless possibilities of this bright shiny 2012 are yet to be realized. I make my new business plan, budget, and forge ahead. Undeterred by the past mistakes I made, acknowledging them, and swearing to not repeat those same mistakes again. My 2012 looks pretty bright, still I have hope and optimism beating in my heart for success, love, and peace. Regardless of the lack of material wealth, I am blessed with a true circle of friends, regular photography clients I have big Buddha love for, and happiness in abundance. My hope for the future is for financial independence ( perhaps I should have picked a different profession.... Lol!), the ability to travel and use my skills to shed light on the issues of the oppressed, endangered, and cultural differences of the other lands we share the globe with, but don't yet understand. I'd like to experience the countries I've already seen, but this time with the eyes of my grown up self, with more money, more time to learn, and less rushing. I'd like to be a Duchess, a baker, a candlestick maker... Lol! Sorry, too much tea today...
I will live with more compassion, empathy, and understanding. I will forgive those that can't forgive themselves, but most of all, I will squeeze every last drop out of life cause that's what it's for. Here's to 2012, may it be a wealthy year full of good things for us all!
Don't forget to check your Compass!
Cole
We left on the Friday afternoon and arrived a short while later. The 'cabin' was magnificent. A place I felt so at home in, like I had been there before but truly had never set eyes on previously. In fact I had drawn a picture of something meant to look exactly so when I was a teenager. The stunning views were ones I had had dreams about over the years since I was a girl. Each corner I turned brought a wave of deja vu, but I know I had never set foot there before.
As our midnight approached, we were all relaxed and really had no plan for the evening. Just us girls and the kids. There were no pretty fluffy dresses, masques, or tuxedos. Just most of us in PJ's and wrapped in warm blankets around a roaring fire, laughing with the kids, playing board games, dinner, and a movie. We were so engrossed in the movie, or perhaps half asleep in our cozy stupor, we didn't mark midnight until the neighbors on the iced over lake shot off fireworks. Startling as it was, it sounded like someone was banging on the windows at first. Then we saw the glittery explosions shoot past the windows like rockets in the night.
We toasted New Years and the texts and emails from loved ones far away arrived to all our phones like a tropical rainstorm, hitting us with all the drops at once.
The past year was a mixed bag of blessings, licking the wounds of my lost dream studio space. Rebuilding from the financial losses, which I am reminded of each time I pay a bill, or see the newly made money disappear like Houdini. The ending of weak and one sided relationships, the strengthening of bonds with clients that become trusted friends, and the blessed appearance of new friends that feel like centuries old connections.
With the passing of the old year comes a bright new future. The endless possibilities of this bright shiny 2012 are yet to be realized. I make my new business plan, budget, and forge ahead. Undeterred by the past mistakes I made, acknowledging them, and swearing to not repeat those same mistakes again. My 2012 looks pretty bright, still I have hope and optimism beating in my heart for success, love, and peace. Regardless of the lack of material wealth, I am blessed with a true circle of friends, regular photography clients I have big Buddha love for, and happiness in abundance. My hope for the future is for financial independence ( perhaps I should have picked a different profession.... Lol!), the ability to travel and use my skills to shed light on the issues of the oppressed, endangered, and cultural differences of the other lands we share the globe with, but don't yet understand. I'd like to experience the countries I've already seen, but this time with the eyes of my grown up self, with more money, more time to learn, and less rushing. I'd like to be a Duchess, a baker, a candlestick maker... Lol! Sorry, too much tea today...
I will live with more compassion, empathy, and understanding. I will forgive those that can't forgive themselves, but most of all, I will squeeze every last drop out of life cause that's what it's for. Here's to 2012, may it be a wealthy year full of good things for us all!
Don't forget to check your Compass!
Cole
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