Green Christmas Part 2

I’ve been trying to write this entry for DAYS and can’t seem to get my act together to actually finish it. I’ve come to the conclusion that trying to blog regularly over the holidays is kind of a lost cause (well, for me anyways). I’ve actually really enjoyed being “unplugged” from the online world the past few weeks.
Lately, my days have been full of spending time with my family, showing BF around my picturesque albeit slightly eccentric hometown, and hanging out with my beautiful best friend who is also home for the holidays. I’ve also been on a total jewelry making binge, getting ready to finally put up my etsy site for 2010–a goal of mine for the New Year (more on that later!).

(I’ve also been doing some serious lounging in my new fluffy robe!)

Another one of my goals for 2010 is to try and use more of my own photography on SkinnyDip. Now that I have access to BF’s new amazing camera this will be relatively easy. Today’s photo was one that we took on Christmas Day. One of the great things about Christmas Day on the West Coast is that if the weather is nice you can go for a walk along the beach, which is exactly what we did this year. I chose this photo because its beautiful (I love the quality of light, the setting sun reflecting on the water, the glistening rocks, the shadows–everything) and I feel the image is really optimistic—very fitting for my mood this holiday season.

I was reading SandyB the other day and she was saying how Christmas is a great time to reflect on the past year. I have to agree– especially this year because I really do feel like I am in a completely different place than I was 12 months ago. Last year at this time I was having a really hard time with a lot of things. I was recovering from a serious injury that made it difficult for me to do the things I enjoy (walking, exercising, dancing) and I was working at a job that left me feeling constantly overstressed and unhappy. All the negativity associated with my job consumed my life and left very little room for positive things (including spending time with my family & friends). I constantly felt sad and frustrated because I desperately wanted a change but didn’t even know where to start. Looking back, I can see that I was so exhausted all the time that I wasn’t really engaging in life, I was trying to escape life (through endless hours spent watching dvds, TV series, books, & general hibernation). I was surviving my life but I wasn’t enjoying myself, I wasn’t smiling. In other words, I didn’t really feel like me.

I feel really sad when I think back to last Christmas. However, that sense of sadness only lasts a moment before its replaced with this huge sense of relief and gratitude that things are different. My life isn’t perfect but, this year I can definitely say that the positive outweighs the negative. Here are a few good things I am grateful for:

1. Being able to spend the holidays “at home” in BC with my family & best friend (this was something I wasn’t able to do last year). Its been so nice.
2. Being able to call such a beautiful place “home”. Showing BF all my favorite places in Victoria and Vancouver has reminded me that (if you can get past the hippies, bongo drums, and stoners) BC is an incredibly beautiful & awesome corner of the world.
3. I may not be making as much money as I was at my old job but what I am doing for work is something I enjoy. I go to work not because I feel like I am obligated to be there but because I choose to be there. My current job also gives me the flexibility to pursue other opportunities on the side.

I am grateful that I have this luxury.
4. I eat really, really well and never go hungry. Compared to a lot of people in this world, this really is a luxury as well.
5. As far as material things go, I don’t have as much as some people, but I have what I need. I have a decent wardrobe, a lot of nice purses and a size-able shoe collection. A lot of this is thanks to generous freebies from BF (who is a footwear designer & is always bestowing sample shoes upon me) and my fashionable sister who regularly gifts me her designer rejects (Thanks for the Vivienne Westwood top & the vintage skirt!). I know I probably take some of this for granted, but I shouldn’t. I am really a lucky person.
7. Lastly, I am surrounded with people that I care about and who care about me. Being home has only reinforced this. Which brings me to this anecdote….

On Christmas Day, after we had finished eating the turkey, my whole family piled into the living room to watch the original Star Wars trilogy together. I looked around the living room and saw my sister, BF, my two separated parents (who miraculously still hang out as friends despite no longer being married) –all sitting together & getting along as a family. At that moment I said to myself, Hey, this is pretty awesome!

Going forward into the New Year, I feel optimistic, inspired and motivated. I’m looking forward to lots of other Hey Awesome! moments in 2010.

What are you grateful for?