New Year...

WOW...what a year of change...a very amazing year of change...

Each year I learn some very valuable lessons. I think that's just part of getting older...I wouldn't trade anything to be 16 again. 25 yes ;-) But 16 no...maturity has it's good sides as well. But this year for me, has been a year of so many changes and me really finding what I want in life...

One of the biggest ones I learned this year was to not be what the world wants me to be, but to be the kind of person that I want to be. In turn I am a happier person, and I can freely care for others.

"A person can grow only as much as his horizon allows." John Powell

I think reaching that point in life where you want to enjoy what you have, be content with less, and accept those in your life for who they, are is a huge milestone.

That includes my dogs of course...dogs are good for personal growth, I do believe this.

Dogs allow us as humans to grow, change, make mistakes, and they do not judge. They just accept us for who we are, unconditionally.

They are amazing creatures...and I am blessed to have chosen a life, where I get to enjoy these animals. Even if it is for a much lesser time than I would have if I only shared my life with people. Dogs feel so much emotion, with such an "in the moment" attitude and passion, it's no wonder they don't hang around this world longer. Some of my most amazing and inspirational human friends weren't in this world that long. Their passion and infectious spirits were here but a short while...and I relished every, single, moment of it.

This year I have learned that my life isn't all about dog training...it's about enjoying my own dogs outside of the agility ring. Not focusing on the next Regional, the next USDAA Nationals...goals are great, but this year my goals changed...I don't think it affected the outcome of my journey to Nationals...if anything it made it much more rewarding. I was very proud of my dogs and myself. And by taking some focus off the pressure...the journey became much more fun for me.

I developed new hobbies, I met new friends, I forged some connections with people that I needed more than anything. Family and friends...those people that, when you fall on your face, they help you up. They dust you off, they smile at you because you are a complete idiot, but like my dogs...they love me, unconditionally. They make me think, they challenge me to really look at myself and see what kind of person I want to be. Friends like that are worth their weight in gold. I am blessed to have these friends...very blessed.

I have learned that being myself is the best person I can be. I may not be the best cook, wife, dog trainer, sister, daughter etc...I might be weird, too loud, too opinionated, too much of a lot of things...but I am what I am. And I am grateful I have the opportunity to continue to grow, change and enjoy life.

I'm thankful for all of you, who read the blog, comment, and have gone on many journeys with me :) Giving support, helping me problem solve and in general enriching my life!

As I sit here typing...looking at the pictures of my wonderful dogs, it's hard to not look at 2012 as another year of possibility.

My goals for the dogs are just to enjoy training them, do as well as we can, and have fun playing with them. I want to approach my runs with the same kind of "in the moment" passion that my dogs exhibit. That intensity...that drive. I could have a giant list of goals that I wish I could accomplish, but I am more of a "go with the flow" type of gal. Rules are just guidelines...life doesn't always follow rules anyway.

All I want to be able to say, as 2012 comes to a close next New Year's Eve, is that I did my best. To enjoy my family, my friends, my dogs, my hobbies, my life...

Here's to a wonderful 2012 for all of you! Thank you for reading and sharing a part of your day with me!!!