It is almost the end of the first day of the first month of the year.
For the first time, I am able to breathe, come down from the hype and just – fall into my back and stare at the ceiling.
I dare say that 2018 was my best year so far. And it cannot not go by without being praised for all the blessings and the equally enriching trials that it brought me. Oftentimes, I needed to borrow different perspectives from different people to make me see through these obstacles. But here I am, made it through 365 out of 365 days, looking back how grateful I am for the year that was.
2018 was a year of defying limits.
Came to me in several circumstances, but the best and concrete exercise was the Camino. Walking 260 kilometers for some days brought me to a better understanding on what I know I am capable of, what I did not know I am capable of, and what I WANT to be capable of.
I have learned that in order to become strong, you have to admit that you are weak. In order to defy your limits, you must embrace your limitations and decide to move from there.
There is a power in walking the Camino that clarifies the mind, releases oneself from denials and eventually allows one to decide that a step forward, no matter how small, will bring new heights and possibly – with a stroke of luck – where you needed to be.
2018 was a year of Trust
Many people know me as a faithful one. But one thing that I have been struggling with for so long is to hold myself together when things become unfamiliar, scary and threatening. When 1 + 2 is not as simple as 3 any longer.
I had to pick myself up from the floor so many times just to learn the meaning of the exercise. I may have not closed this chapter of my learning yet, but I would like to believe I made progress.
2018 was a year of Persistence and Prayers
Once I was staring at the ceiling of our room and asked, “Why does it have to be so hard?”. A calm and re-assuring voice replied, “because the victory is then greater”. Right there and then, my perspective about rejection and persistence altered. Sometimes the best blessings come disguised in charcoal wrapped packages.
There´s simply no option of giving up on my prayers because I believe in the abundance that there´s always enough for everybody – and therefore I claim this part of sunshine that God saves for me. 😀
With persistence and great support, one of my prayers came before Christmas, arriving at the airport of Frankfurt on the 21st of December 2018. Some things are really worth not giving up on.
2018 was a year of new experiences
From vacations, to meeting new people, to submerging into a new culture. From the most fancy to the unthinkably scary situations. For re-discovering some forgotten passions. For painting. For baking. For learning how to cook. For having a warm home away from home. For the family that took us as a part of their own. For my family and friends back home that I miss dearly. For the love that make me bloom (and grow vertically and horizontally)! For the constant assurance that I am worth it! For discovering new parts of the world in a new light… Oh 2018! You are a highlight!
While I (and a number of colleagues) spent the last day of 2018 in front of a laptop, I am thankful for the work that I needed to do.
Saying goodbye to my dear 2018 with a motivated and positive heart…
Now I open the doors wide for 2019, Welcoming everything that it will bring!