venern: January Diaries: Charlotta from 'Space for Inspiration' Guest Post

Hello there...
I woke this morning to high winds and rain; the storm they predicted has arrived. However I am not going to let it dampen my spirits as I am galvanised with plans for the new year. This year, of all years, the need to draw a line under the past and move forward afresh has been high on my agenda. The gift of opportunity...as another door opens. And so, to my second guest post which, in light of what I have written above, is unbelievably apt for us right now. Charlotta, who writes the blog 'Space for Inspiration' is a fellow Scandinavian and I am sure we have this meeting of minds because of it! Her blog is a cornucopia of pretty pictures and wise words; my two favourite things. Charlotta has reflected on the event of New Year's Eve for her post...and I love it.

31 December 2011: New Years Eve reflections...
As the year draws to an end I get a jolt of excitement for what is to come. 'New Years Eve'...that one magical day that casts an invisible line between 'what has been' and 'what will be'. The air so full of anticipation of what lies ahead that it seems to vibrate. Then at that final 'gong' of midnight, an explosion of energy so tangible that it competes with the fireworks in the starry sky above. Rebirth!

Without fail I feel nostalgic & reflective. My mind reviews the string of events from the year passed - summing them up, collating valuable learnings, and carefully wrapping precious memories in virtual tissue paper before storing them away.

This ritual always brings tears as well as smiles, and I find myself re-living an array of emotions that in some cases never really manifested at the time the event took place. The speed of time doesn't always allow that does it?! But perspective and hind-sight are powerful things. Like a good pair of reading glasses they allow us to get a sharper and better look at things whilst also understanding their meaning and value.

Of course there are memories of disappointment, hurt and sadness, but mostly I rate even these as good experiences because of where they have led me. As Albert Einstein so wisely put it;

I know he was/is right because when looking back, what felt hard at the time now feels like a true blessing - an opportunity to explore new ways, expand my vision, and grow as a person. All of which ultimately led me towards some of the things I today rate as most valuable. If not invaluable..!

At this point my mind settles in a cloud of gratefulness. A glow of love and appreciation so strong that I sometimes gasp for air. I think of all the people I have in my life - my beautiful family, my friends, and all of the people who crossed my path for a reason. I think of all the things I have had the opportunity to see, learn and do. The spectrum of emotions I have been fortunate to feel and express. The sum of all my mistakes leading to where I am today. And there is no other place I'd rather be!

Then comes the surge of excitement for what is to come – all the people I am yet to meet, the things I am yet to learn and the adventures yet to be had. A whole new year ahead! Like a blank canvas waiting to be filled with colour and detail. A pictorial story that may or may not be a masterpiece, but it will be a honest and passionate expression of all things that are me! My very own piece of art that I intend to paint with passion, zest and honesty!

So here we are at the beginning of 2012... (paint brush in hand!).

Being a 'leap year' we are blessed with an extra day. A year-total of 366 days - the 29th February given to us like a magic pocket of time that is ours only every four years. May this one extra day be what allows you to take that leap that will land you on top of the highest cloud of your dreams! xx