Well, here we are again. Another year has gone by and here I am sitting on my couch, listening to Endless Summer (big thanks to Shirley for introducing me to them) with a cup of warm & overly caffeinated coffee at side on New Year's morning writing this blog post! What a whirlwind of a year it has been, a 180 degree change from 2018! Last week, while me and my sister were walking through the mall, I eagerly said " Wow, I cannot wait to write my " What 2019 has taught me " blog post, just because so many things had happened this past year and looking back at it, I can't help but remember the terrible times rather than the happy times. It seemed like this past year has been the most challenging one I've ever had if not the most. Mentally, physically, emotionally and whatever internal challenges a person could have! Regardless, I believe that whatever had happened in the past year was MEANT to happen, why, I still don't have the answers but a huge part of me knows that it all happened for a reason.

1. YOUR LIFE COULD CHANGE IN A SECOND.

- If you could only hear me scream how crazy and true that statement is! Starting off the year, everything was going okay until we hit the end of the month of March and we got the terrible news of my aunt's sudden passing. It felt like a huge truck had hit us and we couldn't comprehend anything that was going on. We were all in a state of shock to a point where we didn't know if it was all just a dream or actual reality. As we all pulled ourselves together and got to my aunt's funeral, which is a memory I try my best not to look back on, we somehow had to learn to accept and face the harsh reality that she was really gone. Making things a little more difficult, it was my mom's birthday right around the same time all this was going on. As I write this, I can't help but hold back my tears remembering how much of a difficult time it was for me and my entire family. The sound of cries as my aunt's casket closed still lingers in my mind. As tough as all this has been, I know that my aunt is in a much better place, watching over all of us. Heaven has gained an angel and wow, does heaven shine even brighter now!

2. NOTHING IN LIFE IS PERMANENT.

- As we move on towards the year, I hit quite a challenging block at work. I was stressed out of my mind! Extremely tired, getting less than 5 hours of sleep a day. A big and unexpected change happened at work and I was left on my own to figure everything out. For so long, I thought I was in a safe space, depending on someone who I always thought would be there & have my back. But, life happened, things took a drastic change and made me realize, nothing is permanent, nothing is long-lasting, nothing is forever. Weird as is it, I am thankful and grateful for whatever had happened. I came out stronger than I was, I saw myself in a light I didn't think was possible and I was surprised by how much I could handle. So, don't be afraid of change, nothing will make sense in the moment but will make a huge impact in the long run!

3. VALUE THE PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE WHO ACTUALLY CARE.

- Quality is better than quantity. A quote I've always kept in the back of my head when I met new people and have a tough time knowing if they were genuine. As I grow older, my circle of friends grow smaller but my heart, value and appreciation for my true and real friends grow larger. And that is more than I can ever be thankful for. To my friends who area reading this right now, thank you for being part of my life and accepting me for the weird person I am! :)

4. OTHERS NEED YOU AS MUCH AS YOU NEED THEM.

- Every action has a reaction. A line I managed to pick up from my IV training class this past November! I realized that if you want people to treat you a certain way, you have to treat them in that exact way. People react to the way you treat them. It's a simple equation, be nice and people will be nice back. Be kind and people will be kind. Be understanding, people will be understanding. Be accepting, people will accept you as you are.

5. THIS IS THE REAL WORLD AND SOME PEOPLE ARE JUST NOT NICE!

- A follow up to #4, sometimes no matter how much you want to believe that there is good in a person, they will always have a dark side and sometimes that dark side of them takes over. The past year, I had an experience wherein someone, who I do not know until this day who they are, decided to change my life completely and make a huge decision in my life for me. For what reason, I do not know. But I came to realize, some people just want to hurt other people. And some people are just frustrated with their lives that they need to find a way to take control. IT IS NOT OKAY to play with people's lives! But regardless of what had happened, I am so thankful! Thankful because as crazy twisted as it was, I felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders and in some way, freeing. I pray that some light and guidance will fill their souls. So thank you, whoever you are. You tried to knock me down but I only came back stronger!

6. BE THANKFUL.

- As tough as this year has been, I am thankful for every single moment. I really believe that God is always watching us, wanting us to be better and wanting us to be happy. Taking the road less traveled is not always our choice but it is what life pushes us to do. With every situation that had happened, I had the habit of saying, okay, this happened but I am thankful because.... and wow has it made everything so much easier to understand. Be thankful for whatever you've gone through because in someway it has made you a better YOU!

7. KNOWING THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A JOB

- I'm always the person you catch saying " Ugh, I'm working tomorrow". This past year, I learned to be thankful for actually have a job. I realized that having a job is a blessing and how much we need it in our lives. We never really think about it but having a job is what actually makes us accomplish our dreams and actually LIVE. It still is a struggle for me not to complain about it but I'm working on it! Whatever your job is, whatever position you hold, remind yourself that you have an identity and not just a name. Having a job is a huge part of your life.

8.  YOU'RE ALWAYS GOING TO BE OKAY.

- No matter what life throws at you, you will be okay. I had my fair of challenges this past year, my aunt passing, work being the craziest it has ever been, my mom injuring her foot and not walking for a month, someone choosing to ruin my life and my mom's best friend passing three days before the new year, the list goes on but you know what, we are all okay. And we will be okay. I know that this post has been a deep and a little depressing but guess what, it's the truth and this life. Sometimes it's not all sunshine and butterflies and we have to accept that. But through every storm, a rainbow appears. And whatever the new year brings, we will all be OKAY. 

2020, I have never been so excited for you. It is a leap year, so I'm hoping and praying this year will be better and filled with good surprises! To everyone reading this, whatever you've gone through in 2019, good or bad, learn from it, take it with you, be thankful and know that the new year will be 10x more challenging but you are 10x more stronger, braver and ready to take on whatever life brings you!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2020, you're going to be a good one!

All my love,

Lala