The "Happy" Jar of 2014

Relief. That's what I'm currently feeling now that 2014's hours are numbered. Of course, every year has it's goods and bads, but I feel like 2014 had a lot more dramatic swings to either extreme, with not a whole lot in the middle. Between my 16 different trips, my serious health concerns, major changes in my personal life, deaths in the family, and overwhelming support from all of my closest friends and family, 2014 has definitely been a year for the books. I have many more stories to tell about my year's travels, but they will have to wait for future posts in 2015.

At the moment, I want to take some time and reflect on how good this year has been. I try, very hard, to be a positive person. Sometimes, however, I need to remind myself that I have plenty to be happy about, especially when it seems like nothing is going right for me. I knew that 2014 was going to be a tough year for me, that it was going to test my optimistic personality and bring me a fair share of unhappy things. Then again, on this night one year ago, I also made my Resolution to travel as often as time and money permitted. I knew that I would have to focus on the positives in my life, no matter how small or stupid they seemed. So, I stole an idea from Pinterest and made myself a "happy" jar.

Every time something made happy, even fleetingly, it got written down on a colorful little sticky note and placed into the jar. Something as small as taking a bubble bath? Write it down!

Something as big as spending a week in my favorite place on the planet? Write it down!

Did I get to have a Skype date with someone I haven't heard from in a while? Guess what: write it down! It helped me keep my optimism even at the worst times of the year.

While I was at my grandma's funeral I shared a golden moment surrounded by my family and some of our closest friends. I looked around at everybody brought together by the death of one of the most wonderful ladies I knew, and I was overwhelmed at how much love could be shared in one place. Even during a loss, I found happiness.

When I was first diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis, I was crushed. I kept going over everything I will likely never enjoy again, like a big glass (bottle) of the finest Port or Petite Syrrah I could find. Then the texts, emails, phone calls and visits started accumulating. I realized that I have an enormous, incredible support network of friends and family who care about me, and I was astonished at the outpouring of love and support sent my way. Even during sickness, I found happiness.

My boyfriend was suddenly offered a job three states away, he accepted and moved abruptly. Once he got there and got a little settled in he called me late one night, waking me up so that we could have our first Skype date. We talked for over an hour. Even during an upheaval in my personal life, I found happiness.

I truly have had a wonderful year, and even now need to remind myself that the good things have far outweighed the bad. I have a lot of wonderful activities and changes to look forward to in 2015, and have high standards to make next year live up to this one. I did not spend nearly enough time on my bike in 2014, and I want to change that in the new year. I also really, really want to keep traveling, maybe not as much as I did this year, but enough to satisfy my wanderlust and squash my cabin fever. In that line of thought, I am announcing my 2015 New Year's Resolution! In 2015 I will bike a minimum of 100 miles each month, with the sole stipulation that at least 300 of those miles will be in a state besides the one in which I am living.

I can't wait for the adventures of 2015! Bring on the new year!

What I'm listening to: Ready the Ships by John Powell