Monday, January 4, 2016

Hello










Hello there, how are you? I hope you enjoyed the holiday season, and are now sinking into 2016. Reece and I enjoyed the most wonderful holiday season. There was a balance of quiet, peaceful, reflective days, and busy, fun filled days with family and friends. It was perfect in many ways, and just what the two of us needed.

These last few weeks were healing for me, Winter Solstice in particular. It is such a simple day, the shortest day of the year, but it is also the time in which we welcome back the light, and open our hearts to that light. This year Winter Solstice allowed me to say good bye to the past and the future I thought I was heading towards, and to say hello to a new path, and journey, that I am moving towards with much confidence and strength. The light from that day was carried forward throughout the holidays and created the perfect beginning for my new path.

During the last few weeks, I have been reflecting on 2015, it is just something we do this time of year. In many ways it was a good year. I accomplished many of the things I wanted to, meet and exceeded some of my goals, connected with many friends in a deeper, more meaningful way and enjoyed this journey I am on. My life is full, and I feel blessed and grateful to be living this life.

2015, of course, was darkened towards the end of the year when Justin announced he was leaving Reece and I. The messiness of life definitely stole a little light from my days during this time, but that messiness was also beautiful in some ways. It has allowed me to reflect more on what I want for myself and for Reece. It has allowed me to discover a strength I didn't know I had. It has opened my eyes to a different future, a future that I am happy to say, I am confidently stepping into. Although it is a process, and will take time, the healing has begun, and there is more light than dark in my days.

There is no regret for anything that happened over the last twelve months, all of it is part of my journey, the same journey that has brought me here, and shaped the person I am today, and will continue to shape who I become. As I move into 2016 there are no goals, no resolutions, no intentions, no guiding word for the year. Instead this year is about just living life, one day at a time, noticing and fully sinking into the every day moments, and continuing on my path of simple, mindful living.

2016 is going to be a good year, not only can I feel it, but I am going to make it happen. Are you ready? I am!

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The photos above are a small collection of the moments I captured over the holidays. I didn't take many photos, instead choosing to be fully present, and in the moment over the last few weeks.

58 comments:

  1. Hello too. I do feel ready for 2016 now, now that I have collected my thoughts. I would like to join you on your journey if that is ok, simple mindful living is how I would like to be in 2016.

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    1. That sounds perfect my friend, looking forward to sharing this journey with you. xo

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    2. Kim and Sustainable Mum - that sounds perfect to me too, please count me in ! x

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    3. I would be happy to Fiona. So glad you are joining us. xo

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  2. Funny how we can be hell bent on one direction, know it's where we are heading one moment and then life wisks us off in a compleatly new direction. I guess peace all depends on accepting this simple truth or fighting it. May you shine in 2016 my friend.

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    1. Ha, yes, it seems life always has something up it's sleeve to throw us off track. Totally, and I am finding peace in acceptance, and in looking forward in a new and exciting direction.

      Wishing you a wonderful 2016 my friend. xo

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  3. you are beautiful. I love to visit and read your words - I believe 2016 will be a good year for the two of you. Happy New Year Kim and glad you are back on line.

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  4. Just living life sounds a pretty good motto for the year and may your 2016 be filled with light and hope :)

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    1. Thank you Carie. Wishing the same for you. xo

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  5. Hello Kim, I've been following your blog for more than a year now, but I've never left a comment. I just want to say that I very much admire the way that you seem to have chosen to face the challenges that life has brought you these past months. I hope that you will find only peace and happiness on this new path that you are on. Wishing you nothing but the best for you and Reece in 2016!
    Marcela

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    1. Hello Marcela, thank you for taking the time to comment, that means a lot. And thank you for your very kind words, and good wishes for 2016. I will take them, and send the same right back to you. All the best to you in 2016 as well.

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  6. Hello my dear friend and Happy New Year to you and Reece.
    Life, with all its ups and downs can be trying, but with the
    the start of a new year the possibilities seem endless and I
    am thrilled to begin a new year with you in my life. Wishing
    us all a fabulous year where our dreams come true. XO

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    1. Oh Tracey, you are making me cry. Thank you my friend. xo

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  7. Happy new year Kim! May we both continue to find our strength this year!! xo

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    1. Happy New Year to you my friend. And a big YES to that. We have got this, and 2016 is going to be good to both of us. xo

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  8. Love your attitude Kim.
    I had a hard time coming up with resolutions/goals this New Years. I guess b/c I've really been looking (like you) to live in the moment or work towards long term goals (years in the making).
    Hoping you have a good year.

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    1. Thanks Matt.

      Those sound like great plans. Wishing you much success in both, and all the best to you and your family in 2016.

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  9. Yes, 2016 is going to be a good year! Some of the things that happen to you are out of your control, but how you react and what you do with it, is not. You and Reece are going to rock this new year together!

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    1. I needed to read your comment today Anke, to be reminded that I always have a choice in how I react, and in what I do with the cards I am dealt. Thank you.

      I sure hope so, I am certainly excited about 2016 :)

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  10. Happy New Year! I didn't take many photos this year either. I feel the world has become over saturated with photos. Many hugs to you!

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    1. And to you too KC!!! All the best my friend. xo

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  11. Wishing you strength, joy and light in the coming year, my friend. xo

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  12. Happy New Year to both of you! We loved getting Reece's card, one is on the way to him (if it hasn't arrived already).
    I'm with you all the way on no resolutions, words, etc this year... just more living life. Cheers to that. xo

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    1. And to you too, my friend. Glad you got the card, and we received yours today. Reece loved getting the photos of the girls :)

      Wishing you all the best Carlin. Big hugs to you and your girls. xo

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  13. Sounds like a good plan for a good year ahead. Happy New Year!

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  14. I think listening to your heart is always the best path to take... and a year of seeing how things go can be an intention in itself. To live day by day is a great intention. I wish you many happy surprises along the way my friend. So happy to have shared these first few days of 2016 with you. xox

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    1. Thank you, my friend, for being here and sharing in the New Year with us, and for your love and support. It has meant the world to me. All the best to you and your beautiful family in 2016. xo

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  15. Happy New Year, Kim and Reece! It sounds like your time away from this space was really reflective. I am so impressed with your positive words and outlook. You ROCK! xo

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    1. Happy New Year Carrie! It was very reflective, and so good for me. Thank you my friend!!!! xo

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  16. What a joy to see you again my dear friend ... It makes me want to reprimands again holding my blog diary! I also feel that 2016 will be a good year, and I wish you the best for you and your little man. It is a pleasure to read the beautiful energy that you begin your year, your heart is love.
    Love and happiness for you.

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    1. Hello there my friend, so nice to see you here. Thank you for your kind words. All the best to you and your family in 2016. xo

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  17. Happy New Year Kim, I wish you all the best for 2016!

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    1. Thank you Karin-Ida!! I received your beautiful card, thank you. A letter will be on its way to you soon. xo

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  18. You are just such a perfect example of how it's not what happens that matters, it's how you deal with it! I'm so glad the last few weeks have brought you more peace and acceptance, and I hope Reece is dealing with everything positively too, or positively as much of the time as anyone could expect a young child to manage. Gorgeous photos (as always!), and I loved your last 2 for the 52 project as well, especially the one of Reece knitting, your home looked so comforting in it, as if it were a nurturing cocoon, keeping you both safe from everything outside! As well as your determination to make 2016 a good year, I'm sure your home will play a big part in that too.

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    1. Oh Sally, thank you for those very sweet words. I am doing my best, not every day has been good, and there have definitely been some moments that I would like to have lived differently over the last few months, but all in all I am proud of how I have handled all of this. It has not been easy, but slowly I am finding my way, and it feels good.

      Reece has been amazing. I should really write about it, but I am not really sure how. He has handled it all with such grace and maturity for such a young man. I am amazed actually, and so very proud of him. He and I are closer than ever, and together we are happily carving a new path.

      Oh my home. Staying here, and making it my own with new furniture and some new to me decor has been so very good for me. This place feels more like me than ever before. I feel happy, safe, secure and content here, and I know Reece feels the same way. It is our haven, the place where solace finds us. I feel so very blessed that I have been able to make it possible for us to stay here.

      All the best to you too my friend. May 2016 be filled with good things for you and your family. xo

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  19. What a beautiful post, Kim! I feel the same way about Winter Solstice (I much prefer it to Christmas)! It's such a healing reflective time. I'm glad that this year will be all about just living! That sounds good to me!

    I am so proud of you! Please know I'm here cheering you on and sending much love! You are amazing and I think will continue to impress yourself with your strength and resolve!

    2016 is going to be amazing! I can feel it! xo

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    1. Thank you Shel. You know, I said the exact words to a friend, that Winter Solstice has really become the celebration that means the most to me at this time of the year. I think because I connect to myself so much on this day, letting go, and setting intentions, it really feels like a big day of tuning into myself and my dreams.

      And thank you for your sweet words and encouragement, they mean a lot. It feels so good to have so much love and support coming my way.

      All the best to you and yours in 2016 my friend. xo

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  20. Happy New Year to you and Reece. I am confident that you will find your way and carve out the life that makes you happy and gives you fulfillment, Kim. I know you will do fine. I hope you have a wonderful 2016.

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  21. Happy new year my dear friend, I'm so happy to read your words and to feel your peace and your love emerging from the 2015 events. Oh yes, this year is going to be a good one, for sure. A big hug from our mountains.

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    1. Hello there to you too!!! So happy to see you here, and to see your post this evening, I have missed you.

      Thank you for your kind words, and for the hug, one is coming right back to you. xo

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  22. It sounds like you are just where you need to be. As you say, it has all brought you to these moments and those are things that are so precious. Wishing you all the best this year. Sounds like it is going to be very special year for your two. xx

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    1. I feel like I finally have some clarity, and taking the time to acknowledge that this is all part of my journey, and will all play a role in who I become has been helpful.

      Thank you Tamara, I sure hope it is going to be a special year. xo

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  23. Happy new year my friend!I am so glad that you and Reece have spent this holiday with peace and joy.
    I'm sure that this new year you will keep on building the shining future that is waiting for you!

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    1. Hello there!! Thank you for your kind words my friend. You were a big part in making our holiday so special. Thank you for your emails, lovely package, and for being there. xo

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  24. Beautiful photos, Kim. Love the snow by the water and the fire. I have no doubt that you will make it a good year! Excited to see how your life unfolds this year.

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    1. Thanks Darcel. I am excited too. I am not totally sure what lies ahead. I do have some plans, but I am also keeping myself open to possibility. It is going to be an interesting year :)

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  25. Here's to 2016...I'm so glad you and Reece had a wonderful holiday season!!! You two deserve it. I'm sorry i haven't been able to write back yet...it has been more than crazy over here...but hopefully, i'll get to my correspondence this week. xoxo

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    1. Oh we did Erica, and so far 2016 is treating us both very well. No worries, my friend. Take your time, I am not going anywhere :)

      Enjoy your weekend. xo

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  26. Lovely, all of that! Wishing you a bright and happy 2016!!!

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    1. Thank you Tiffany, and you know I wish the same for you. xo

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  27. Well, hello. Good to see you here again. I'm with ya! Slow, simple move over into this new year for us as well. No hoopla. In fact, from solstice til now I feel it's been a process. Haven't even gotten back into a homeschool rythym until tomorrow :)

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    1. Thank you Jen, nice to see you hear too :) It was nice, wasn't it, to just let the season flow around us. Glad you enjoyed it, and were able to sink into it as well. We are on the same page, we moved back into our homeschool rhythm today too. Hope you had a good day.

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  28. such great photos! loved catching up with you. you are such an incredible woman.

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    1. Thank you for those sweet words Jenny. I am happy that you stopped by, always nice to see you here.

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