Another year, another sunset

Do you ever feel like you’ve been somewhere you’ve never been? Or recognize someone you know you’ve never seen? Be in a place that seems like it talks to you? Sitting in the Portland Airport, I feel like I’ve been here before. I’m sitting here with about 7 other people in a very deserted airport on this lovely Tuesday afternoon. Portland is a beautiful place. I’m a big fan of nature and the trees here are amazing. I miss the “grandness” of the Rocky Mountains. But this place has a different feeling to it. It has great mountains like Mt. Hood or Mt. Saint Helens. I had wished on my trip I could have visited Mt. Saint Helens. I think an active volcano is fascinating. Driving over rivers and through trees is only something I really experience when I’m in the Rocky Mountains. Here, it’s normal and even going downtown the city makes a statement. Big bridges, tall lively trees and a beautiful river running through it. It’s poetic really how a place like this speaks to you. It’s amazing to think so many beautiful places like this exist.

It’s time to look back on this past year and reflect. As a new year of my life begins I’m left with some thoughts.

• Surround yourself with people that love life. Life is too short to just be okay. Bitter people suck.
• Be conscience of how you treat the people you love. You could very well loose great memories. Time is of the essence with the people you love.
• Sunsets are pretty awesome. Take time to look at them when you can.
• Gossip can be deadly. Not sure when we became people that enjoy others “misfortunes,” whatever they may be.
• Life is all about fate and timing. There is a reason you didn’t make that flight and there is a reason that the people in your life are in your life. Don’t mess with fate, it can be one ugly mofo.
• Frustration is a very common, an easily felt emotion. Don’t let it consume you. It’s a waste of energy and time.

For the first time in my life I’ve begun to look at things that I could have done differently (the “what if?”). I think life is better lived if you don’t have regrets. And I don’t. But I do wonder if doing something differently would put me at a different place in my life now.

I felt like I’ve been a funk for sometime now. I attribute it to one thing going on but the more I think about it I am letting the situation control me. I’m letting it dictate my reaction. I can change my reaction. I need to! And I think the start of a new year will do me well.

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away. - Hilary Cooper