Saturday, January 1, 2011

New Year, New Beginnings?

I moved this weekend. I'm sitting here in my new place, feeling like the symbolism is pretty darn powerful. I was getting to be unhappy in my last place, for a number of reasons, none of which are really worth discussing in this forum. But the process of shedding that with the old year is really great. Not great enough to make me want to move every Jan 1, because I hate moving, but still good. New surroundings are always a great opportunity to try to establish new habits and behaviors, which coincides nicely with the idea of New Year's Resolutions.

But the thing I find myself really ruminating on right now is the gift of friendship. We're starting a new decade, and while there were many ups and downs in the last decade, I made some friendships that I hope will continue through this decade and beyond. And I rekindled some that predate even that. I have friends I've known for more than half my life. That's amazing.
And I'm feeling so grateful for those friends right now. Earlier this week, I sent out an email to a bunch of friends who have cars and might be willing to help me move. It was late notice, and a holiday, so some couldn't. But the number of people who were willing to made me happy. Even the number of people I felt I could ask was great. And it made me realize, again, how blessed I am to have the friends I do. I feel surrounded by love and community, there for me as long as I remember to reach out. I hope that the amazing quality of my friends is a reflection on my qualities as a friend. I hope that I have it in me to display the love, support, kindness and generosity they show me. And I hope they know that all they ever have to do is ask.