CHOOSE Joy in Gratitude

My one word for this year was JOY and I’ve spent most months writing about ways I was embracing it. I started with joy in new beginnings and moved on to choosing joy in love. In March I shared some wonderful news and wrote about joy in celebrations. In April I chose to focus on finding joy in letting go. In May I honored five years at my academic home, as well as in my new home city, and wrote about joy in milestones. After a month in Uganda, I wrote about joy in adventure and in July after buying a home, I wrote about joy in maturation. I paid homage to my good girlfriends and wrote about joy in platonic friendships in September. And in November, I wrote about joy in slowing down. 

This year has been good to me and for me. It has been a beautiful blessing to invite play, pleasure, laughter, fun, and JOY back into my life in limitless ways. And as is the case with any meaningful lessons, I’ve shed my share of tears this year. I’ve wrestled with letting people go and admitting that I could no longer juggle unlimited work commitments. I grieved relationships ending and honoring seasons that were passing away. I opened my heart to new adventures and embraced disappointment when they were short lived. AND I came home to me. 

I rediscovered myself in ways that are compassionate, sincere, loving and abundant. I embraced my childlike nature and honored my deep love for community. I accepted the places where I shine and shed all else. I admitted my shortcomings and celebrated my areas of excellence. I loved myself a little harder and held my soft places a lot longer. I saw beauty in my full being in ways I haven’t in much too long. I honored my light. I let my belly laughs roll. 

As this year comes to a close and like many of you, I am thinking about 2023. I am thinking about the one to two words I will focus on. I am thinking about relationships and habits I won’t carry into the new year. But perhaps more than anything else, I am giving thanks for my journey, extending immense gratitude for this day that I have, and echoing in every part of my body: I am so grateful for my life. 

With love,

Sabrina