Alright folks, it's about that time. 

You know what I'm talking about. It's that time of the year where everyone's self-reflecting and planning for the new year ahead. Social media is full of "New Year, New Me" quotes and everyone's making lists of resolutions and planning for who they want to be in the coming year. 

And you know what? There's nothing wrong with that. 

Every year, my Grandmother without a doubt would say "It's a new year, it's gonna be a new Gerry!" and it kind of became this running joke within the family because we knew that nothing was going to really change. For all intents and purposes, she was who she was and good or bad, we loved her for it. Well, it only took 83 years but this past December, a couple of weeks before what would be her 84th birthday and the coming of a new year, she finally did change. She transitioned to her home in the sky and became, for all intents and purposes, a new Gerry. While her loss has obviously brought my heart so much sadness, I've also found myself just grateful that I got to experience her in the way that I did and also recognizing all of the pieces within myself that come directly from her as well as the ways in which I've changed over the years.

With all of the transition occurring around me, its caused me to look at myself and the things I hold dear. The things that I want to change and the things that I want to continue doing more of. To my surprise, when I look back at all of the things that I set out the do within the year of 2019, I can proudly say that I did most of the things on my list. There was intention, there was growth ... so much growth, and there was frustration ... much, much frustration but in the end, I set out to do the things that I wanted to do. 

It's easy to hate on those trying to make positive changes in their lives, but if and when you sit and reflect on major/minor goals and allow yourself the opportunity to execute them, along with the grace to not be so harsh to yourself when you don't. You'd be surprised about how great it feels when you look back a year later and realize that even when it didn't feel like it, you still did the work necessary for change. 

With the beginning of a new decade upon us, most of us seem really excited for what can be. I urge you all to get excited too. Take a look at where you were ten years ago and genuinely think about how far you've come, if not far enough - maybe you want to change that. Most of us are just getting started - allow us to be proud, allow us to be sad when we fail, allow us to learn, allow us to teach, just allow us the joy of living. Because there is a new year coming, and our hope is that there will be a newer and better version of us as well. 

What about you? 

You planning to hate outside of the club when you can't even get in? 

Or.

Are you going to allow yourself the opportunity and joy of winning - in whatever capacity?

Happy New Year Friends!

Dedicated to:

Geraldine “Gerry” McKnight aka “Grandma”

~12-07-19~

New Year, New Gerry.