Reflections.

All my traditions  surrounding Christmas from the past seven years have been shattered this year.

Which sent me on a path of reflection.

Think back to this time  last year and the controversy surrounding refugees  in Canada. 
No country seems devoid of conflicts...Mexico El Chapo. Refugees arriving by boat, and putting Europe in turmoil, can you forget those images? Terrorist attacks.  Brexit, Fort McMurray fires. Trump!!!

So out of the shattering of past traditions  and the sadness that is attached  by not being together, come new traditions and reflection. I look to tonight as a new beginning and a closing of a very happy past. My glass will be raised to all events and friends who have helped to shape and make me the person I have become today. Thank you.

To those that I will share this night with I will look forward to our new friendship with joy and the openness of what lessons I have yet to learn from each of you.

Out of close relationships that sometimes change for no apparent reason, one has to rejoice with the memories of all the good times spent together. Very few friendships last a lifetime, think about it, especially if like me you don't even live in your birth country.

I am so happy when I see my own daughters with  friends that they have had most of their lives as they have only lived in one country. But at the same time I celebrate in the friendships that I still have that are 45 to nearly 54 years... in fact looking forward to catching up with one of those  long friendships in January, when they come for a holiday here in Mexico.

So reflecting on the past exciting year that I have had, and looking forward to 2017 and whatever it holds for me. Remembering to be kind to myself and not allow that inner critic to take over! (Thank you Thérèse your book, A Kinder Voice is amazing...)

When you are peace with yourself and don't live in the past,  know how to forgive and forget,  out of any ruins comes hope and new beginnings.

Happy New Year.
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