There’s about 5 people I know who may pick up on this Doctor Who reference! Let’s be honest, how fucking boring is it to call this post a reflection of 2016! Thpppt!! 4 Things and a Lizard is way better.
THING 1: I brought in 2016 while in Hunters Valley for Lost Paradise. I was alone in the middle of the valley and mountains with no cell service and a few thousand strangers. From then on, I had no clue what 2016 would bring me. I’ve learned to keep asking “how does it get any better than this?” every day so the Universe has to show me something amazing, magical, and fantastic. I dare not ask how it gets any worse as I’ve seen the death, destruction, and chaos that is around the Universe. Moving into 2017, I still hold steadfast in my belief of asking the Universe every day “How does it get any better than this?” Call me naive if you want, but I believe without a doubt that there is greatness out there. Greatness for all of us. It may not seem like a big thing but having faith in the Universe has kept me relatively sane. Shit, I wouldn’t be chasing and living the Australian dream if I didn’t believe the Universe would catch me. I’d be stuck in a job day dreaming about the Australian dream instead. I don’t know what will show up on my doorstep in 2017 but I can ask, how does it get better than 2016? 2016 for me, personally, was a fantastic year and I can’t wait to see how 2017 is going to top it.
THING 2: 2016 saw a family trio invade my life and heart. This family took me into their home and lives and let me love them and care for them. They filled a space inside of me with their Universal light love and magic. They helped heal parts of my broken soul. I am and will forever be grateful for Claire, Jack, and Sam and their contribution to my life and my personal growth. I can never repay them for what they have done for my spirit.
THING 3: In August of 2016, I had one of the worst battles with my depression I have had since January 2013. Out of the blue it knocked me to my knees mentally and spiritually. When I’m not battling it hard daily, I kind of forget I have depression. And by forget, I mean, I am able to live my life in a relative normal way. Normal being a relative term because what the fuck is normal anyway. Why is this important for me in the year of 2016? It just reminded me that depression is always there and sort of hip checks me into the boards of life like a goon. It’s part of who I am and I’m not ashamed to admit I battle the oncoming storm. I talk freely about it and hope it helps others. It’s why I write here. My goal for 2017 is reflect more and write more on here. It’s therapeutic for me and keeps me sane. More importantly, it shows me that I survived and am a survivor of my own mental self. Hopefully others see that and fight for their survival too.
THING 4: People come and people go in a person’s life. ‘Tis the way the life works and the world spins madly on with or without them. This year brought someone really damn fantastic into my life. I knew the moment I met this person they were going to be in my life for a very long while and that they were going to flip my Universe upside down (in a good way). I am beyond grateful for this person. They have made me laugh and they have made me cry (good tears) and they have allowed me to share the fucked up me with them. They understand the oncoming storm and offer a shoulder to lean or cry on. They have inspired my writing self to create once again (something I haven’t felt like doing a lot of since I wrapped up The Sound of Madness) and have become my muse. They have also opened my eyes/ears to a new world of music, books, movies, and so much more that it is impossible to list. More importantly, they have become part of my life and they will always have a space in my heart. By knowing them, they have healed my heart, mind, soul, and spirit. I can only hope that I can give Nick something as wonderful as what he’s given me in return.
LIZARD: Here’s a picture of a lizard I took in 2015 while traipsing across Australia. (I did say 4 things and lizard.)
