Life is a balance of holding on and letting go.

The last year of my life has flown by.  I swear I blinked and now it's November again.  And even though things have been exponentially difficult since June, time has sped along at a marathon pace.

In a few short months, I have gone from a full-time, stay-at-home mom who wrote 3 books in 2 years, to someone who is arranging office space.  And I have to say: I've never felt more alive.

I don't necessarily like being 35.  I'm not really embracing this age.  But I do like the comfort of settling into who I am, but not at all settling for much of anything else.

If I've learned anything over the last few years, it's that I like what I like, I want what I want, and I just can't accept the bare minimum.  I don't want to adhere to what is basically acceptable.  I can't be satisfied with what is simply required.  And every day I find myself wanting to reach for the ideal and aspire to something bigger, deeper, more meaningful.

I'm excited about the new people who keep making their way into my life.  I'm grateful for the connections that keep miraculously being made.  And I LOVE that people keep telling me I'm absolutely glowing with happiness. 

I'm glad to see that my sheer joy is not being overshadowed by mounting stress.  It's nice to know that the whole really is greater than the sum of its parts.  And it's phenomenal to experience the growth and depth of existing friendships as they mature.

In other words: At times, I have been lucky.  More than once, I have felt blessed.  And once again, I'm seeing there is still a future filled with unlimited, glorious, super-fun possibilities.

Life is a balance of holding on and letting go.  It's also about accepting uncertainty and embracing the unknown.  It's about second chances.  Brand-new firsts.  Different stories.  New, shared realities.  Opportunities.  And of course, risks.

Here's to throwing caution to the wind, diving headfirst, and taking little leaps of faith.  All of which can be accomplished with good friends...and a little wine!