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It’s impossible to come to this date and not think back on what’s happened in the previous 12 months. I used to excel at finding the past year wanting, but this year, I see it all through rose-coloured glasses. This was a monumental year for me and it’s all gone past in a blur. I can’t believe it’s already almost-2014 — most of me is quite sure it’s mid-September, but if it is, it’s really cold for late summer and there are no leaves on the trees. I think I blinked and it really is the end of the year.

So, what happened in the past 12 months?

I published my first book. It still makes me giddy every time I look at it.

Resolution: get going on writing Book II.

I pushed up against my limits harder than I ever have, at times blasting right through them. I’m not saying it was smart, but the fact that I could is completely overwhelming to me.

Resolution: remenber that just because I can, doesn’t mean I should.

This was also the year that I discovered what happens when I push up against and past my limits. Who knew that stress causes flares of RA and Fibro??

Resolution: work smarter, not harder.

Thanks to the Show Us Your Hands! recalibration, I have deeper understanding of why I push myself and what it does to me, both physically and emotionally. I am deeply grateful to the four beautiful people who are my teammates and friends. They saw me through it and thanks to them, I have become much better at saying no when I should, both to others and myself. And without feeling guilty! (much)

Resolution: say no more often.

I learned that messing with my Humira schedule is not a smart thing to do is. There’s a reason we developed this particular schedule 7 years ago and no matter what happens, I’m not messing with it again.

Resolution: get better at listening to what my body has to say.

I picked up another freelance job, which gave me the opportunity to exercise another part of my brain, to learn and to be part of creating something really special. I found another good friend through the experience and discovered the difference between what makes my brain happy and what makes my soul happy.

Resolution: create more time for writing.

I published my second book. It also makes me giddy

Many new people came through my life and I’m privileged that so many of them became my friends, both three-dimensionally and online. It never fails to amaze and delight me when I need a kindred soul. Thanks to the Internet, this happens on an almost daily basis.

Resolution: spend more time with friends.

I learned about working a lot and working too much. I learned about trusting your gut, forgiveness and moving on. I learned about ebb and flow and constancy. I learned that distance and time doesn’t matter, only friendship. I learned that just when I think I can’t get any prouder of the people I love, they inspire and astound me with what they can do. I learned that when I think I’ve experienced the deepest love possible, it gets deeper still.

Resolution: have perspective and pay attention.

There have been challenges and this new year that’s just around the corner is going to start with a doozy. But thanks to everything that happened this year, I know that I’ll get through it. In a year that was marked by several wonderful gifts, this is perhaps the most profound: not just faith in myself, but the almost physical sensation of sharing my life with some truly remarkable people who make it all possible.

I am a very lucky woman.

Happy New Year! Looking forward to sharing 2014 with you all!

Do you have any resolutions?