Today, I turn 34. I am so happy to be alive. So happy to celebrate the day I entered this world, and so grateful to my parents for giving me life!

Photo by hayynar on Flickr

On another note, please forgive the lack of comment responses: I am still on holiday and not doing much. I hope you are, too.

I cast my eye over my December horoscope over at Astrology Zone, and wow, were there some uncanny accuracies, looking back. Perhaps there is something to this astrology business…

OK, OK, the list. Here it is!

• Fun in the sun at Barwon Heads, which rivals Knysna for prettiness, except that there aren’t any mountains
• Saying yes to new adventures. Even (especially) when I’m scared. So far it’s worked out every time
• Pretty summer dresses. Yes, I know this has come up before, but Kate gave me another one. It’s short. Very short. And I *love* it. I have worn it four times in the week and a half since I got it. Most of my favourite things are hand me downs or bought second hand. Interesting, no?
• Hearing a song that was written just for me. Best gift I have ever received
• Opening birthday presents in bed, with the sun shining outside
• Feeling hopeful about the year ahead
• Coconut perfume. And shower gel. And conditioner. And body butter. There seems to be a theme here
• Getting through the festive season as an orphan, and, to my great surprise, having one of my best Christmases ever. No gifts, just lots of good cheer, great relaxation and no stress about the festive meal. Which, incidentally, was delicious. We did yoga in the garden in the evening, too. How perfect is that?
• Sleeping, restoring, healing
• Revelations right under my nose. How could I not have seen that before? Avidya of the highest order
• Looking forward to Mark Whitwell’s visit to Melbourne in February. Also, I am so proud of myself for having the courage to invite him, and to organise the event. It’s daunting, since he is such a senior teacher. This is also the first time I have organised an event for a travelling teacher
• The beautiful email I received from Crescence the other day. That woman truly is Wise
• Doing yoga in the park. Every time I look up, I see blue sky framed by lush leaves
• Being in the garden
• Being on holiday. It’s so needed, to recharge the batteries, and allow time to take stock and reflect. Even when you love your work as much as I do
• Feeling my feet start to come under me again
• Friends, who, as a good friend pointed out the other day, are my chosen family. How lucky I am to have so many! People keep remarking on how many people I know. Apparently Ma Lakshmi has blessed me more than usually with Love. Thank you, Shri Shrim
• ­Christmas Eve spent playing Santa’s elf, wrapping gifts for small children. Oh, and eating. And drinking. And hanging out with some of my favourite people. And wearing my new dress from Kate
• Music music music. To feel my feelings, to express myself, to heal, to dance to, even if it’s just alone in my bedroom
• My birthday party tonight (there will only be about three people there since most everyone is away, but still, it’s the first time in many years I have had an actual party)
• Anticipation for the rest of the week: New Year in Castlemaine, which I love, with people who totally rock (yes, that would be Kate and her partner), then a detox yoga workshop at Moksha on Sunday, followed by a much-anticipated catch-up with another of my favourite people
• Text messages from my mother in Sierra Leone
• Speaking to my family on Christmas Day, and seeing them. TG for Skype
• New beginnings, fresh starts, hope and courage

I wish that last for all of you, too. May your New year be filled with new things, fresh things, hope, and courage. More about the last two in a future post…