Remember and Reflect: A 2014 Appreciation Post

It's already four days (four!) into 2015 and I find myself struggling once again with living in the moment. I'm always looking forward, thinking about what is to come in the short-term and long-term plans for my life. And because of that, I miss what is happening in the present or devalue my past. Mid-2015 will be a time of many changes and new adventures. At least I am hoping that that's what in the cards for me. It's what I'm working towards. But because of that, I'm doing what I always do and urging time to move faster because I want 2015 to be "the best year yet." 2015 just started, but it is has been great to me. I need to appreciate that. And even more important, I shouldn't lose sight of what great of a year 2014 was while I wish for 2015 to be better.

I can't let myself forget the past because I'm concentrating too much on the future. 2014 only ended five days ago. It is much closer than the parts of 2015 I'm most looking forward to. I fully appreciate what I was lucky enough to experience in 2014. In an attempt to break my unappreciative, non-present ways, this is a recap of some of the moments in 2014 that I appreciated most and helped make it a lovely year. These are the moments I remembered how happy I was to be where I was and leading the life I was.

I got to ring in the New Year with some of my favorite people in a wonderful way, full of fancy dresses, champagne, and sparklers.

I finally got my wish and saw snow on the beach.

I participated in TOMS's One Day Without Shoes for the 5th year in a row.

 I graduated college with some of the smartest, dearest friends I've ever had.

The city I live in took my breath away several times.

I got to see so many summer sunsets at the beach.

I went to Myrtle Beach (and South Carolina) for the first time.

On a very bad day, I came across a rare gift (a shark tooth, one of my favorite things) while trying to clear my head with a walk on the beach.

One of my best friends, who lives thousands of miles away, came to visit me. We hadn't seen each other in over two years.

I had my heart broken twice by people I never thought would hurt me. I cried and then slowly learned to move on. And now I'm a stronger person because of it.

I got a post-grad job. I then left that job after being offered another job in a field I'm extremely passionate about.

I valued my friendship with this sweet friend more this year than I have in any of our past four years of friendship. And I loved the afternoon we spent at the beach.

I saw the darling Ed Sheeran perform for the fourth time.

I went to the state fair with people that have been in my life since high school.

I got a wonderful surprise from my favorite company.

I had an interesting Halloween with people I can always count on.

I saw Garth Brooks, my first crush, in concert again after ten years.

I celebrated our 3rd roomie Christmas with my best friends I'm lucky enough to live with.

2014 brought many new challenges and opportunities. I have some bad memories but also some amazing memories. I grew and grew up a lot in 2014. It was an incredible year that I am happy to have lived.