Sarahisms™ : 2012 Evolutions

“Was it hard? Did I fall? Baby I did, but I got the scars that made me this rich…”

I’ll start with the one thought every single person who is reading this has shared since 00:00 1^st January 2012 – “I. Made. It”. Yes, we made it! From the depths of my heart I wish you all a very, very happy New Year.. May it be a year of growth, excessive blessings, and most importantly, fulfilment ♥

Throughout 2011 I was blessed with so many things; the highlights definitely being meeting Dolce and Gabanna (I still squeal when I see the picture!), my venture to the City that Never Sleeps, the b-e-a-utiful New York and, of course, starting PFW. Without a shadow of doubt, I walked into 2012 with these brown eyes WIDE open, seeking the next adventure. I’ve had my share of pain too- loss has reared its multifaceted head many a time and I will openly say my tears combined.. we’ll leave it at “Cry Me A River” – not just a common phrase/ Justin Timberlake megahit. The experiences I had throughout the year were a whirlwind, to say the least, and made 2011 another year to remember.

Like most people, I used the latter part of December as a time of reflection and an opportunity to plan what I wanted for 2012 which lead me to think about New Year Resolutions. Resolutions, most especially those of people with a ‘New Year, New ‘life’ mindset, are a bit like a pair of socks; comfy enough to keep out the cold of past experiences until those naughty ‘holes’ called ‘being human’ and ‘actually living life’ disintegrate the resolve covering you. Six months into your 5^th attempt at a ‘winning year’, you tend to find you have a list of regrets far longer than you can justifiably defend. Yes, like a female hustling for Brazilian weave (sorry I had to), the ‘logic’ has failed to materialise into something tangible. Indulge me for a second but even taking it to definition; resolution is derived from resolve and resolve equates to coming to a definite or earnest decision about something. The question you then have to ask is this; if it was really that easy to keep to a yearly ‘definite decision’ (which I might add often gets repeated) then why do we get caught in the obstacles life throws at us? The answer is simple really - it isn’t.

Now try this Sarahism for size; you weren’t 10 before you were 5 and you won’t be 20 before you’re 10 (feel free to adjust ages as appropriate)… and yes, I have my eccentric moments. Let me be more concise - life is about growth. I know, I know, that’s blatantly obvious but it’s funny how many people, myself included, forget that. To embrace the New Year as an opportunity solely for new things without even incorporating the past is only dong yourself an injustice. Prime example – weight loss. So you weren’t able to shift weight the last year; what makes you think a New Year, some extra gym moves and a ‘revised’ diet is going to turn you into an ‘After’? It’s all about learning from your past, embracing your past failures to develop your future successes. Not to say you should hold on to the past or not set some motivational goals for a new year but it’s time to stop thinking about the resolutions to end the issues point blank and start thinking about the evolutions to building something better. To regurgitate a rather common quote “Stay committed to your decisions but flexible in your approach” (it’s by Tom Robbins, for those who may have wondered). A glorified mantra will not change your life. You will.