Dear Readers,
This year has been a whirlwind for us, hasn't it? Words cannot express how much you mean to me. You, my loyal and faithful friends, have been my one constant. You are flowers in a field of weeds.
At every party and around every turn, you give me the courage to throw open those doors, plaster a smile on my face and greet every potential date with enthusiasm, because even through all the bad ones, I manage to learn something new to pass along.
This week was a challenge to be so positive through all the studying and the fact that I do not seem to have a real talent for poverty. I have never been able to grasp the concept of "budgets" or actually live on one.
When debating bills versus thrills, I hear my Grandma's voice in my head telling me to never trust people who advise skimping on necessities like the latest fashion or great hair products.
For example, when given the choice, I will buy a new pair of jeans and have a massage, then eat ramen noodles in the dark.
It helps that I have such amazing friends like you to help me concentrate on what is really important. Before I can even concentrate on being depressed, I concentrate on things that make me smile like being able to wake every day at the same time, in the same way.
My four-legged alarm clock nudges my nose at 6 a.m. and licks my face. It's impossible not to be a morning person when you have 20 pounds of unconditional love waking you up.
I never lay in bed. I find it pointless to just lay there when there is always so much to do, but before I step onto the cold concrete floors of my loft, I take a moment for myself.
I just listen to my breath and feel my toes. Yes, feel my toes. Not with my fingers or hands, because you can't really feel your toes that way.
I shut my eyes and see every part of me. Every line of my body. Every muscle. Every cell. Every toe. It's magnificent to live in this body!
After a really good stretch - I make my way to my big red espresso machine and push that round yellow button and it roars to life. It chugs and shakes and it too has a really good stretch.
Sitting in my favorite chair, I inhale my vanilla soy latte. The cushions are overstuffed and beaded and they tickle my back. There is a story behind this chair. Bittersweet but lovely … and sitting in this chair, makes me smile every single morning.
I read a quote once on the back of bus that read, "Surround yourself with those you wish to become."
I never take for granted that I am surrounded by brilliance.
At school I am taught by brilliant professors.
At my job, I work with brilliant writers, editors and artists.
I am swimming in a sea of people I wish to become, and I drink them all in.
I believe we entertain angels unaware.
So throughout the day, I make it a point to compliment strangers. I love to see the expressions on their faces when I tell them they smell good or I like their socks.
Usually they smile politely and say a quick "thank you" before turning away.
People aren't used to random acts like that … but they should be.
At night when I am back home, curled in bed with a big glass of merlot and I'm just finishing the last sentence of a really great book, I take a moment to be grateful.
I have so much more good in my life than I probably deserve, so it's necessary to sends thanks to the universe for my friends, my dog, my chair … my blessings.
I hope that I have been just as good a friend as you've been to me this year. Friendship is a two-way street and there is a lot of traffic and potholes to avoid, but I think we are cruising along just fine.
To the best year ever - Christian
crose@unews.com
