Welcome, 2015.

2014 was hard.

The last few months have been especially challenging, to say the least.

In a short period of time, there were a lot of heart aches, heart breaks, melt downs, panic attacks, lonely nights, battling demons, and countless tears.

And yet, here I am.

Here we all are. Facing a new year - 2015!

As with everyone, and as with every new year, I have made resolutions. But this time around, they are a little different.

Sure, I've got the materialistic list like everybody - be healthier, go to the gym, eat right, sleep more, job hunt, read books, write on my blog more often (*shuffles feet embarrassedly*) and so on...

However...

There's something new on my agenda for 2015, an odd sort of list of resolutions, if you will.

It will be this list, that I will refer to every day, to make sure I am sticking to my resolutions.

It will be this list, that I will share with every person I care about, because I think they should have this on their agendas too.

And it will be this list, that will ensure me taking on this year as a better, stronger, and more amazing person.

So what is this list you ask? Just five little bits of advice. Here goes.

1. Keep an open mind.

The significance of a new year is through a mere date. Each day is a new opportunity. Keeping an open mind does not simply translate to meek acceptance of anything and everything around you. An open mind means letting the fabrics of judgement, prejudice and stereotypes fall away from your view. Looking at the world from a different angle. Understanding that everyone has a story which led them to where they are now. Everyone has their own trials, triumphs, demons and drives; an open mind respects all those about different individuals.

Being judgmental is frighteningly easy, the challenge is not to do so. This year, my goal is to learn even more about the world around me. I pride myself in my observation skills, however I've learned something very important - there is so much more than ever meets the eye in this world.

Don't just hear what's being said, but listen to the words spoken.

Don't just see what's around you, but truly look at it.

2. Be spontaneous, take risks, try something new.

So much of our lives are spent in the mundane routines that persevere every day. Jobs, school, whatever it may be, ruts are surprisingly easy to wedge our selves into. Unbeknownst to us, these routines slowly take a toll on our mental health. We feel trapped, suffocated, and frustrated without truly understanding what may be fueling such emotions. What we fail to overlook, is this: we are our own culprits. In the rush to get where we need to go, do what we need to do, finish what we need to finish, we often forget to (forgive the use of the cliché here) stop and smell the roses.

I plead to you all. Stop. Smell them. They smell wonderful.

It could be as simple as having pomegranate juice instead of apple, walking down Second Avenue instead of First Street, maybe even adding the color orange to your wardrobe. Or it could also be something bold, and life-changing like altering your career path, moving out of the city for bigger and better opportunities, proposing to the one you love, or finally pursuing that crazy hobby you never dared to. Whatever it may be, DO IT! 

Disclaimer: Know that there is a fine line between throwing caution to the wind and irrationality.

3. Live with no regrets.

Ten years down the road, when you look back at any given day in your life, I don't want you to wish you had done something differently. I completely understand that some things in life are well out of our hands. However, there are always some parts we can control. In the words of a wise rat named Remy, "Change is nature, the part that we can influence. And it starts when we decide."

So what if it's a shot in the dark? You'll know.

So what if it's a mistake? You'll learn.

So what if it goes wrong? You'll survive.

You owe it to yourself to be content. Think of what truly matters to you. Think of who will be affected by your choices. And most importantly, think of how your decision will affect your life.

Please know that although I say this, I do not condone or promote the trial of harmful substances, alcohol or any other life threatening activities. That is not the kind of decisions I want y'all to make.

4. Be independent, not alone.

Many a times, independence is often perceived as synonymous with being aloof, detached and maybe rebellious. Not always. When I say "be independent", I mean this: If you are working on washing judgement away from your life, you need not let it affect you either. Don't let the judgement of others control your actions. Don't worry about what people will think if you dress a certain way. Don't let it bother you if people think your perfectionism is quirky.

It is those who are unconventional, who are trail blazers. Don't be afraid to make your own mark, to carve your own path and to stand out in a crowd. If you are exuberant and confident in your traits, no one will dare question you. Make an impact so that others will realize, your way is the right way.

5. Appreciate your life.

Life is so unexpected. With all the crazy things going on in this world around us, I sometimes wonder whether I will live to see a new day. And when I do, I embrace it as though I've been granted a new life. The fact that I am in a warm home, writing this post on an expensive piece of technology, the fact that I am able to string together these fancy words for our amusement, (to me) is a blessing in disguise.

Every day, I appreciate the fact that I am surrounded by those who love me unconditionally. I appreciate that I have a wonderful education attached to my name. I appreciate that I have the most amazing friends in the world. Above all, my gratitude knows no bounds that I understand what appreciation truly is. I am a whole, healthy person. To all those who are able to say this with me, please know and understand how truly blessed you are.

So, there you have it! My peculiar list of resolutions for 2015.

If any of these resonated with you, please let me know. I urge you all to follow these with me, but I'd hate to impose. Consider this a humble proposition.

Until next time, oh dear ones.

Hasta la-buh bye!

Musings & Worries

Today I learned something about myself, about my personality, about my interactions with people, and about my nature.

A friend of mine was not himself today; something was off. He seemed rather tired and upset; he was not his usual cheery, assuring self. I realized this as soon as I saw him.

My first reaction was to worry. My first impulse was to offer him words of comfort. I wanted to give him a hug and wish his troubles away.

But the only thing of those I managed to do was worry. And quite excessively.

This got me thinking.

What caused such a reaction? Was it strange for people to have a bad day? Not really. Was it out of the ordinary for them to be stressed? Not likely. Didn't people get tired? Of course they did. So what induced the panic-stricken response?

A disturbance in my turf.

That's what it boiled down to.

Whenever there is restlessness in a kingdom, the ruler worries. The very same way, I learned how protective my nature was today.

Once I make someone my own, worrying about them or caring about them isn't an obligation any more, it becomes ingrained in my nature.

This change was surprisingly drastic, but entirely understandable, coming from someone with my personality. I always knew I was fiercely loyal to those close to me, but today, I found out just how much, courtesy of aforementioned friend.

Here's sending positive thoughts, warm hugs, and fluffy monkeys his way in hopes that tomorrow is better for him than today was.

Until next time, friends.

Hasta la-buh bye!

Feeling Claustrophobic about Life lately...

If I was to describe Time in 3 words, what would they be?

Relentless.
Determined.

Indifferent.

The coming back to this blog every two years and disappearing for another two has to stop. I miss having a routine. I miss having an agenda. 

However, I must acknowledge the irony. I detest the uncertainty, but I love the spontaneity that life has to offer me.

Let's just say, it's been a confusing time.

However, in the time that I have been away from this safe haven (aka blogaroo) of mine, much has happened.

I've travelled to 8 different countries in the last year.

I graduated from University.

I got slightly closer to my goal of losing weight, and I am still working on that. Apart from a few distractions, its still happening!

I had a fair few heartbreaks, hardships, challenges. There were moments where I thought I might not make it.

But here I am. In one piece. Still holding it together.

So this little post is just putting it out there that I am still alive and kicking.

After a lot of thinking, I've come up with some pretty cool ideas for some posts, and I promise they are coming.

With regards to that Diet, I did follow it through to the end, but it was a pretty inefficient, temporary plan. The results came, but they did not last. I will also touch on that journey soon, but for now, I really want to give my inner writer a chance to shine.

For anyone who may be out there reading this, going through a tough time, thinking you are all alone.. just remember you really are NOT alone.

If you look around hard enough, you will always find someone waiting for you. Someone to catch you before you fall. Someone to pick you up if you do fall. Someone to comfort you in your times of stress.

If you keep your eyes closed, your head down, your hopes buried, these angels that surround you will be hard to find.

This is why they say, keep your chin up!

If no one else, I'm here for you. Write to me, and I will listen.

Always remember your worth, you are priceless.

I have a lot to say, but I also have a lot to do. So until the next time, which will be very soon...

Hasta la-buh bye!