Happy 2011!

"Your life's journey is about becoming more of who you are."

:-) Please click to play

So, I do not at this moment have anything profound to write in regards to the new year or in terms of new year's resolutions. If I didn't love wine so much, I might think about giving it up Monday through Thursday, but forget about that. I wouldn't give up Ellie Monday through Thursday, so why would I give up wine? Well, that wasn't the best comparison because we all know that Ellie far outweighs wine. But I already work out every day and eat my fruits and vegetables, and try to stay away from refined sugars and processed foods as much as possible. I'm vegan for goodness sake! I have a successful career, my dream home, beautiful and loving animal companions, a wonderful family, a caring multitude of friends, and, most importantly, I have a happy marriage and a true partner in life. I am really going to have to think long and hard about a resolution.

And contributing to my current lack of vision for my future in 2011, is the fact that I am still coming down off of the "high of the holidays"! What a rush having accomplished so much in a month. If only I could always have such drive! I took down all of our Christmas decor yesterday, and our house is back to its tidy, clutter-free, neutral self. It makes be both happy and sad at the same time. Although I wish that I could say that it's Christmas every day, it is just not: the magic, the energy, the bright colors, the lights, the music, the love, the forgiveness. . . it truly all comes together just once a year.

Anyway, I was riding on my exercise bike yesterday reading "O" Magazine. I loved this last page of her December 2010 issue (What I know for sure). So for now, I'll leave the conglomeration of my deepest thoughts to Oprah because Oprah almost always says it best:

"My entire life is a miracle. And so is yours. That I know for sure. No matter how you came to be - whether you were wanted or "an accident" (as I was labeled for many years)- your being here to read these words is awesome. I say that not knowing the details of your life. What I do know is that every person carries her own story of hope and sorrow, victory and loss, redemption, joy, and light. Everyone has had their share of life lessons. How well you learn from them is up to you. When you choose to see the world as a classroom, you understand that all experiences are here to teach you something about yourself. And that your life's journey is about becoming more of who you are. Another miracle: We all get to share in the journey. The hardest experiences are often the ones that teach us the most. I say this having just gotten of the phone with my lawyers discussing how to handle two pending lawsuits. The first question I asked them was, "What is this suit really about, and what am I supposed to learn from it?" Only when I can perceive what the real lesson is can I make the best decision - and grow from the experience. After everything that's happened to me in nearly 57 years on this Earth, what I'm most proud of is that I remained open to evolving. I know that every physical encounter has a metaphysical meaning. And I'm open to seeing it all. I want to keep doing better and becoming better at who I am until I fullfill the promise of the miracle that is this life." Oprah

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
With Love,
Marisa & Guy