Happy New Year!

Speaking to many people, 2011 was a year of hardship for some, a year of uncertainty for others, and there were a few who were happy with how the year panned out. Every New Years Day, we come up with a series of resolutions that have good intentions to brighten the year ahead, but most fall on their feet within a week.

A friend of mine introduced a new thought process to her life when she left her husband three years ago... She called it her 'Year of Yes.' If someone suggested she do something, there was no argument about it, she would do it. She went mountain horse-back riding, where she took her sister and her sister's boyfriend, and they were airlifted by the ambulance after a serious fall. She took up cycling, ice-skating, pole-dancing, anything to brighten her life. No matter how scary, dangerous or stupid it was, she went with it and is now living life to the absolute fullest. Cycling is a big part of her life, as is ice-skating, and each time I see her, she has a beaming smile and a sense that she has taken control of her life.

I know a lot of you don't have the finances to go too adventurous, but if you start small with things like hiking in your local forests, learning to pamper yourself with a footrub each night (get your kids to do it!), forsaking chocolate bars for saving up for something that you've always wanted to do, getting lost in a book (if you can't afford them, libraries let you have them for free!), whatever it is, give yourself something to work towards, something to look forward to, something that inspires you to get out of your rut and make 2012 an exciting year.

To all my loyal supporters, I hope 2012 brings you life-changing moments, readjustments in your thoughts to bring positive, enlightening epiphanies and good health, happiness and harmony with your loved ones. Thank you for being there through my hardships and happiness. I hope I've been inspiring to some extent, touched a chord with you in others knowing that my stories are parallels to your own and give you a reassuring place to seek warmth, honesty and a friend who understands what you're going through.

Here's to 2012! Bring it on!!!