Right now with so much going on in my life, I am faced with dealing with my feelings, thoughts, and actions.  I think that I am going through a tough lesson.  How to love, accept, and forgive myself.  I have learned so much about myself in the past year.  I think putting what I learned to work has been the hardest.  It has cost me friendships, love, a job...but it is all for the better.  I have learned and almost mastered patience.  I am trying to live in the moment.  One thing I really would love to learn is discipline and self motivation...but I think it will get easier in time!!

I was so excited when I saw this question.  I was laid off for the second time in November...right after Thanksgiving.  Money has been tight...realistically non existent.  In the midst of this chaos I was forced to look at my relationship with money.  I have never been completely financially stable, trying to raise a child alone and all of the other challenges that come with being an adult.  What I discovered is that yes I can manage money.  Not having money made me realize more than ever why it ever so important to budget, save, and invest; and rebuild my credit.  I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason.  I have learned to respect money and appreciate it.  I always had an issue with money, due to my upbringing, that I have made peace with.  I look forward to the day I begin working again (I have an interview tomorrow for a great positon!!!) because I have financial goals and a new attitude about my finances that is going to assist me in acheiving my life long dreams, and allow me to be able to support my daughter and I comfortably.  I have gone with out the luxury of eating out, shopping, nights on the town.  I am grateful to be living back home so that I can save money, whilee carefully treating myself to one excursion a month.  I have a great plan to build financial stability in 2009.

I would pick the Shinto practice, which I believe is native to Japanese culture. What I like most is that it falls along the same category as Buddhism, and they believe that everything has a spirit.  What if everyone in the world believed that all things are divine spirits...Now you see where I'm coming from.

I took a big step in trying to build a friendship with my ex/my daughters father.  That took a lot because he hurt me deeply.  It took a long time for me to get up to the point of being friends and that is definitely worth celebrating!!

I have a hard time expressing how I feel, especially after someone says or does something hurtful.  I am actually a very giving person, but to give my thoughts and feelings is difficult for me.

I love that the hard part is over.  I see how much I have grown and changed over the years.  I love knowing I am ok, I am happy, I am healthy...and most importantly I make my life worth living.  I am alive and well.  I am happy that I have another day.

I welcome the new year with an open heart and mind; fully releasing the past year with love and am grateful for the lessons and growth it provided me.  In 2009 I intend to nurture and strengthen my body, mind, and soul.  I welcome a stable, good paying job so I can provide for my family.  I nurture and develop positive relationships, letting go of unhealthy people, friendships, and relationships.  I am grateful for my life, for the things that I have, and trust that I will always have what I need, even what I want.  My dreams will come true.  Creativity is flowing through me and I am able to express it in my artwork and writing.  I accept there is love and abundance in the world for us all.  I am happy for everyone, I have love for everyone.  I am strong, smart, confident, and beautiful.  I love and accept myself and know that I will have a loving relationship with my family and friends.

For 2009 I welcome new people, new places, new experiences, new conversations, change, growth, love happiness, new opportunites, new relationships, new thoughts, new love, new days and nights, I welcome NEWNESS and let go of the past!!

2009 - I'm glad you have arrived ;)

Beating a battle with depression and learning to love myself again.  I realized the greatness in yoga, in myself, and found a way to keep going through all the hurt and pain.  I consider 2008 to be my "year of realiztion."  I got  a clear path of what I want for my life.

I have thought about this over and over...what would make me happy; what is my Christmas wish? There are a few things that would make me happy. I love the holiday season and all that it stands for, but for me they have become a source of pain. I always dreamed of decorating my house, cooking dinner and having family and friends come over. Exchanging gifts, stories, love, food..listening to Christmas songs...slightly drunken remixes of Christmas classics. Spending quality time with my daughter and her dad....being a family. Hot cocoa ** withmarshmellows ** in front of a cozy fire, reminding each other of why we're thankful and of family, just basking in the moments of another year past and the expectations of the year to come. Playing Santa again for Little Miss and seeing her face together as she tears through wrapping paper....None of that exists, or evenexisted . My Christmas wish would be for the Romeo and Juliet family saga to end. Two families into one, the past put behind, and friendships grown. That would make everyday of the rest of my life so worthwhile. At times I wish that me and my ex were a family again. Through all the hurt and pain that he caused me, and I him...there is no one that can ever give me the feeling of wholeness, completeness. I wish for loving family, broken hearts to be mended and joined as one. I also wish for a good paying, stable job with benefits, so I can take care of my daughter and myself and pay for my tuition next month..Santa I hope you have room for one more!!

To have a good paying, stable job with benefits so I  could take care of my family and pay for college.  That would change my life completely.