2015 : Love

A few weeks ago we closed the book on 2014, and it got me thinking about everything I learned this year. It’s overwhelming. I’ve gained so much knowledge about this person I’m becoming and about the universe that surrounds me.

The biggest thing? Probably the knowledge that I am not one thing, and I don’t have to be. I can be strong AND smart. Beautiful AND ugly. Silly AND serious. Creative overachiever AND a fan of “good enough.” I can believe in the power of words AND the power of silence. I can be pro gay marriage AND pro God (of my understanding). I can be adamant that #blacklivesmatter AND be grateful to police officers and their families. I can find Lana Del Rey totally obnoxious AND sing along to Lana Del Rey. Ditto Taylor Swift. I can be a super fan of Britney Spears AND Doctor Who. I can be a person who doesn’t drink alcohol anymore AND a someone who’s super awesome at Cards Against Humanity. A mother AND a girl who needs mothering. I can be a planner with a million to do lists AND a spontaneous free spirit.

While I love the idea of “resolutions,” I find it much more effective for me to choose a word each year, and then try my best to live each day with that word behind everything I say and do. My 2015 word of the year is LOVE. Because I believe as long as you’re living your life with love at the forefront, you can do/be anything. You can be the yin and the yang all by yourself. I think we all are. We just have to remember to love all of ourselves, and do our best to extend that love to the people around us.

I know the world can be scary. Bad things happen every day, in every town and city in the world. But truly, when I look at the world around me through a frame of love and tolerance, it can be a beautiful place. So for this year, I’m choosing love, beauty and joy. Bring it on.