A Gratitude Letter For 2018

A gratitude letter for 2018…

What a year! Thank you for being the year I learned most about myself. Thank you for all the lessons disguised in situations, moments (good and bad) and people. Thank you for all the teachers I had. Every single person that interacted with me in 2018 taught me something. How incredible! Thank you for being the year where I learned I am stronger than I thought. I am glad you are gone, though.

It is easy to be grateful when all is well. But a true test to our gratitude is to be grateful when everything seems to fall apart all at the same time. I had a lot of difficult moments this past year… I separated from my now ex-husband, I lost my job and I went through some pretty difficult financial difficulties. In all this I am grateful I did not lose myself. Instead, I found myself. I chose to grow through my pain. Man, did I have pain? I am grateful I chose the path of growth and self discovery.

In 2018 I signed up for coaching sessions with the amazing Jay Shetty in early April. Those sessions changed, and continue to change, my life to this day. I have learned so much. I have read more than ever and I have studied more than I ever studied when I was in college. You see, a lot of you have not noticed any of that. Why? Because I chose to share with you how to grow through pain. I just did not say I was the one in pain. I never stopped smiling because I honestly believe there is something good out of every bad situation. Plus, I am alive. I will always smile to that!

I did three versions of 30 Days of Yes and the whole reason I did so many was because I was suffering. Instead of escaping, I decided to elevate. I stopped drinking, I meditated, I developed good routines and good habits. I shared all that with you all and, at the same time, I was applying all I was sharing. Thank you for growing through this year with me. You had no idea you were helping me. In fact, we were helping each other. So, for that, I am forever grateful.

Even though gowing through a lot, I had some of the most amazing experiences in 2018. I drove to Tybee Island with my kids just to watch the sunset on the beach while eating pizza. I spent a whole week in Panama City, Florida with my kids and we had an amazing time together. I went to California on a three day meditation retreat that was beyond incredible. I had time for myself and I truly learned how to enjoy my solitude. Did I cry? OMG, yes. I cried so much I thought my eyes would pop out. I let it all out and I surrendered to every emotion and every moment. I acted as an observer… I simply observed how I felt and my thoughts. I did not react. What an amazing learning experience that was!

Now, on this first day of 2019 I can say that I am beyond grateful for 2018. This will be the year I will always remember as they year I learned my why. I am here to serve others and to help others grow. Life has no meaning if not to share our wisdom and lessons. I am grateful for every single day of 2018. I would not have done anything different, otherwise I would not be who I am today. And do you know what? I love myself so much today. It was all worth it.

Thank you 2018!

With all my love and gratitude,

Simone