the dawn of 2003 passed almost a month ago, and i'm just starting to ponder the year that preceeded it. two things that had always been dreams of mine happened: i was able to go on my NOLS trip, and i was able to take a job that i loved. i also was fortunate to meet many old and new friends, attend more concerts that i have in all the other years of my life combined, drive alone across the country, hang out with 2 members of dmb (shut up, i'm a geek), live in snow for a bit, play with my two beautiful fluffy white babies, backpack, climb, snowshoe, ski...it was a great year. i try to live my life without regrets - and i can truly say i can't think of anything i have done that i regret - without those experiences, i would not be the person i am today.

sometimes we meet someone who seems to have a great sense of well being and we wonder how that person got to be that way. we would like to be that way. that well being is often a result of having been brave enough to be fully alive and awake to every moment of life, including all the lack of cheer, all the dark times, all the times when the clouds cover the sun. through our own good spirit, we can be willing to relate directly with what's happening, with precision and gentleness. that's what creates fundemantel cheerfulness, fundemental relaxation. - pema chodron, 'when things fall apart'

i don't really make new year's resolutions, but i know i will be keeping the passage above in my heart as a guide.