One of the most breath-taking hikes and views from Sapa, Vietnam.  
Take me back!

Can you believe 2017 is almost in the books?  If you’re like me, you’re probably asking where the year went.  With all the crazy events that made 2017 what it was, one thing is for sure, 2018 is shaping up to be one heck of a year, good or bad.  I usually try to reflect on the year so I can have something to look back and learn from.  This year was particularly special as I learned so much about myself and the world through 2 things, meditation and traveling.  It’s shifted my perspective on so many levels and I’m forever grateful for what it taught me and continues to teach me.

Meditation

April 10^th, 2017 – Day 1 of this journey that I plan and hope to stick with for the long haul.  It hasn’t been easy but it has been more than worth it!!!  About 85% of the time, it’s the first thing I do when I wake up. It’s become a part of my routine, just like brushing your teeth or taking a shower.  Research shows that a regular meditation practice rewires and changes your brain.  I can tell you from experience, it has improved my life in ways I couldn’t have imagined.  It’s made me much less reactive to things and taught me to slow down.  Most of all, it’s made me more comfortable with myself, the good, the bad and the ugly.

Someimtes all you need is to breathe...and get outside.

Travel

Coming into 2017, I could count the number of countries I’d visited on one hand (Mexico – does that even count?, Japan, UK, France).  It wasn’t until late May, early June that I decided to take a leap of faith and travel solo to see the world.  I can say it was the best decision I made this year and possibly in my life.  The people, the sights, the smells and everything in between was better than anything I could have ever imagined.  It taught me so much about the world I didn’t know about, pushed me out of my comfort zone and showed me there is so much more to life outside of LA and the United States.  It helped shape my perspective on what really matters and rethink your so-called ‘problems.’

You know how they have those end of year countdowns for the best of the year?  Well, here is my list of awards for 2017 on topics that

App of the year: This one was easy and goes hand in hand with the theme of 2017.  As earlier discussed, meditation was a game changer for me and the app that facilitated the change was Calm.  Safe to say, it’s been the best $40 I’ve spent all year.  The ROI (return on investment) has been immeasurable.

Book of the year:  ‘Shoe Dog’ by Phil Knight.  Recommended by a friend, I couldn’t put this book down, which rarely happens.  It’s about the history of the creator of Nike and all the trials and tribulations it took to create one of the most well-recognized brands in the world.  If you’re a Nike fan, this is a MUST READ!

Song of the year:  You know that feeling when you hear a song and it brings back memories?  ‘September Song” by JP Cooper is my song of the year because it brings me back to my favorite country and time from my travels.  My travel video still puts a smile on my face and in a good mood every time.

Memory of the year:  This one was hard to choose from since my travels had so many unforgettable memories.  One, however, stuck out from the rest.  Trying to cross the street in Hanoi, Vietnam comes in as the #1 memory from 2017.  It’s hard to describe with words as it was the most organized chaos I’ve experienced in my life.  If you’ve ever been, you will know what I mean.

The past year has been one of the best and memorable years I can remember.  Here are some things I’m looking forward to, working on and contemplating for 2018.

• Attending weddings for 3 of my closest and favorite people in the world. They are all subscribers to the blog, so if you guys made it this far, I can’t wait to celebrate with you!
• Exploring a side hustle and possibly turning it into a business.
• Continue to face my fears and push my limits. Possibly traveling for a longer period (6-12 months), learn a new language – Espanol, learn to play an instrument?
• Be more intentional in all aspects of life. Putting the phone away with friends/family.  Mean what you say, say what you mean.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading and following my journey this past year as much as I’ve had sharing it.  Just remember, it’s never too late to start something new or end something that is no longer serving you.  Find strength and lessons in the struggle and cherish the good times because tomorrow is never guaranteed!

QOTP: “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” –Maria Robinson