Time to play a game I call reverse engineering my life. Thank you, Kyle Cease, for introducing me to this fun, inspiring, creative way to approach life. It’s self-love, mindfulness and magic all rolled into one. It works like this: The dish is cooked. You’ve tasted it, it tastes amazing, your mouth waters just thinking about it. Now you’re in that groovy feeling place. From here you let go and let life help you create the experience. Another way to say it, start with the end in mind.

What I remember about the beginning of 2017 was the fear and hope that many of us were approaching the year with. For many, the year before had been just so awful. For me, it was surprising, yes. Awful, not so much. Way, way more lovely moments could be counted than awful ones. And the learning opportunities (some might call them challenges) are where I got to dive deeper into embracing all parts of myself. Sweet, tender goodness. Thank you.

I remember my dad telling me that 90% of what we fear never comes to fruition. He read that somewhere. On the first day of 2017 I saw this quote:

“The dark does not destroy the light; it defines it. It’s our fear of the dark that casts our joy into the shadows.”  —Brene Brown

Yep, fear, that old bugger, is what defines many a reality. Not mine. Not this time.

2017, you were filled with love and generosity and inspiration and knowing. Abundant beyond my wildest dreams. It was all I could do to keep up with all the beauty showering down on me. Many a day found me laughing my ass off.

Again I say thank you.

First and foremost I’m always thankful for this glorious, strong, healthy body. With it, all that followed was possible. And for my mindfulness practice, you’ve shown me what freedom feels like. For my family, friends and community, I am truly one of the richest people I know.

Thank you for leading me to the perfect publishing partner for my book,You’re the Most Beautiful Thing I’ve Ever Seen. Holy shit! I’m a New York Times bestselling author. I’m giddy everytime I think about this.

Thank you for another wonderful adventure with my guys, my mom and dad. Norway rocked our world in the most blissful ways and opened up places we didn’t know existed. Nature, wonder, wide open spaces can do that.

Thank you steering me to my highest good. Keeping me in alignment with my path. It’s there that knowing thrived. Knowing (trusting) in myself, in my connection to source, life, goodness, abundance, joy. It was a crazy, lovely unforeseen road. It always is. I think I finally started catching on—in fact my catch phrase became “Relax. Nothing is under control.” Plan, create, desire, and then let go and allow.

And as if that weren’t enough, my new home, surrounded by nature. Filled with warmth, love, creativity and passion. Yum!!!

Who’d have thought I’d get so into cooking…or that I’d find the time between book tours and writing a series of children’s mindfulness books!

You, 2017, opened with a desire to create a foundation. A way to share my heart and wealth. I had no idea what it would be called, or exactly who it would serve, but I knew it would find me. And it did. That story is for 2018.

Yeah, every year gets a little sweeter. And while all that big stuff was pretty great. Joy continued to find me in the small moments of everyday life. Sharing a laugh with my kids. Hanging out with my bff in her goat yard. Snuggling on the couch with my sweetie (watching a movie or talking about everything and nothing). Walks and trees, hummingbirds and the sky. Oh the sky! Breath.

I launched a dance party on my website (I felt kinda silly, I worried I might not be taken seriously as a writer, and then I did it anyway).

I could go on and on and on. There were so many freaking amazing moments. Maybe I’ll write a book about it. Thanks, 2017. Thanks, God, Universe, Source, Angels, Friends, Family. Yes, friends and family with a capital F. Thank you. I love you.

To me: Thanks for showing up, no matter what. For believing in me. For all the letters of love. I am in speechless awe. You take my breath away.

And last but not least, thank you Abraham/Hicks for these words on conditioning and conditionality: “This is the condition I am facing right now, if this condition were met I would feel…”

Unstoppable.

Hugs and a blissful new year to you. I invite you to play along. To take this road less traveled. To reverse engineer your 2017. To share it in the comments.

P.S. Hey, G. This one’s for you. 😉