Wow, it’s hard to believe that another year has come to a close, and what a year it was!  Change is everywhere: a change in the economy, a change in the value of our retirement accounts and home values… and change is coming to Washington in just a few weeks! Regardless of your political affiliation, I think it’s a fair assessment that we all agree that change is needed!  And what I am most excited about is that this change is more about a reflection of our own internal change.  We are evolving to the next level of what we are here to become.  I have heard many folks talking about our recovering back to the way it was - and what I know is that there is no going back.  We are moving toward the next phase - I have begun calling it “the collective world.”  We now know the world is truly one - what we all do impacts everywhere.  And now that we know this we are coming together to heal our planet, to heal our hearts, to truly step into a global awareness.  As a person who is blessed to travel the globe a bit, this is so exciting to see.  Many of the countries I visited this past year are so excited about the world’s future.  And what I know is that as we all raise our level of awareness together, miracles WILL happen!

On a personal note, it certainly has been a year of change for me.  In July, my Uncle passed.  And then in October, Chuck and I had to put down to rest our dear sweet dog, Abby.  She was with us for 13 years and taught us some tremendous lessons along the way.  We wildly miss her everyday!  And then just 2 weeks after Abby passed, my dear Mom passed.  I miss talking to her and sharing my travel adventures with her!

This holiday season I find myself reflecting on all of the changes in my life, and I continue to know that all change is good.  There are many emotions to feel deeply along the way, and yet I know that it’s always for the highest good.  There is also much gratitude for all that my Uncle, Abby and my Mom brought to me and to our world - therefore, there is much to celebrate as I bring closure to 2008!  This is true on a global scale as well - what is there to celebrate as a world this year?   What we focus on grows, so I am asking myself at this time of year what there is to celebrate, for then this will expand!

Which has me wondering… do you agree?  What is your relationship with change?  What are your thoughts about the changes in your world and the world? What is there to celebrate from your 2008 year? Wishing you a very merry holiday and a gorgeous 2009!

In Gratitude-Love, Rick