A Year of Letting Go: Bye, Bye 2017

In 2016, I wrote a blog post about the unimaginable pain that came with change, and how much the year had forced me to change rapidly and grow beyond what I could imagine.

As I wrote that post, I remember deciding that it would be the last day for many things: toxic relationships and unnecessary sadness among them.  I was determined to let go, and I did.

Funnily enough, within minutes of the start of 2017, everything began to change. From the first day, new love came into my life, new job opportunities, and a whole new set of life-changing experiences that have led me to where I am today.

If 2016 was about growing with change, 2017 was the year of receiving and letting go.

There were so many times in 2017 when I was faced with the harsh reality that in order for things to move forward and fall together, many others have to fall apart.

It taught me to let go of friends, family, loved ones. Of the security of jobs. It taught me to leap and take a chance on MYSELF. It reminded me of my strengths, my wishes, my hopes. It taught me again to open my heart and love.

It placed difficult people in my path so I could learn how to be a more understanding and love them in all their forms. It was an amazing year to realize that you can love someone without letting yourself go, and then when the unfortunate time comes, let go of them if they must go.

Then, toward the end, it rewarded me with letting go of my past and starting a brand new life in a place I love. With the dream job. With the hope of a more prosperous and beautiful future.

Today, the day before the last day of 2017, I feel grateful for all the things it brought me, but also for all the ones it forced me to let go of. As 2018 approaches, I am ready to open my hands and let go of that which no longer serves me. I am ready to let it go and send it love and light on its way. At the same time, with the same open arms, I wish to embrace an unknown future that is waiting to be created.

It’s a new year, a new opportunity for life, another trip around the sun for me. The only thing I can say in closing this one and opening a new chapter, is wishing that 2018 for you will be a year of fearless ventures and blessings. That whatever held you back in 2017 won’t exist anymore. That no one tells you how, when, why, and what to live. That you find the strength within yourself to move forward and change your life if you want to. That you cherish all the good, that you forgive, that you embrace opportunities when they so seldomly come.

LIVE YOUR LIFE. It is YOURS. No one else’s. And the best part is that you only get one shot at it, so get it right.

With that, I wish you all a happy and prosperous 2018.  May love and light ALWAYS come your way.

With warmth,

-Karla