Happy New Year! (2015)

I spent the better part of the day taking inventory of my blessings. Acknowledging accomplishments made and challenges endured in 2014. For many, including myself, last year was a challenging year to go through. But as sure as you’re reading this blog entry - we made it through! We persevered. And that alone is an accomplishment worthy of celebrating.   

I believe that we must constantly reevaluate ourselves and our purpose. I also believe that it is important to set goals (S.M.A.R.T.). So it is during this time of year that I begin identifying new goals and rearranging previous goals that have not yet been reached. Goals that closely align with my vision and my purpose. Whatever goals we set for ourselves and whatever our individual purpose is, we must always remember to proceed with beauty, grace, kindness and openness. And when doing so, we must also remember to be encouraging, uplifting, courageous, empowering, grateful, genuine and well!

Happy New Year!

Love & Peace

Niki B.

The Beginning - 2014

As the first day of the year comes to an end, I can't help but reflect on the past year; I am so grateful for all that I have in this world. My family and I had many ups and downs in 2013; some things were out of our control and others were intentional. And I know that I talk a lot about perspective because I truly believe that when you have a positive perspective, even the worst situations become less stressful. However, very rarely do I talk about the challenge of getting to that perspective. And it seems that when things are out of our control, it's most challenging to gain a positive perspective.

Over the past few months, I began to forget this. And not everyday and in every situation, but intermittently. I began to lose sight of the value of positive perspective. I allowed things that I had no control over to take "control over me". And the "control over me" didn't go away at the stroke of midnight, today. I'm still working through it. And I realize that it's going to take a great deal of work to get completely through it.

Everyday isn't going to be applesauce and rainbows. Some days are challenging (in the least positive way) and mentally, physically and emotionally overwhelming. And every situation or challenge that we encounter doesn't just go away overnight. And you may be reading this while dealing with some challenging and/or overwhelming situations in your own life.  But as you navigate through life, I hope you'll remember what I had to remind myself: you are not alone in this world. Be bold, be beautiful, be courageous, be patient, be conscious, be positive, be kind, be loving, be grateful and be well!

Happy New Year!

Love & Peace

Niki B.