Not everyone will understand your journey, and they don’t have to. Those meant to grow along side of you will come. The path to authenticity is not about being liked, it’s about being real and honest with ourselves. Ascension is about becoming who we are truly meant to be. - AK

A little New Years offering for my alter. As I sit here and reflect, I used to view New Year's resolutions as a bad thing. I'd set them, I would fail. I would feel inadequate and unworthy. I stopped making them. I didn't set any goals for myself. I stood still. I laid stagnant in life for nearly 2 years. Towards the end of 2017 I said I was tired, and I had enough. I went on for most of my life believing that if you can't be happy where you are, you will never find happiness elsewhere. I am here to tell you that this idea, this motto... it's not true. It's ok to walk away. You can leave behind the unhappy relationships with friends, family, and the communities that are holding you back. It's ok to love yourself, and do what is best for YOU. I told my friends in November of that year I was leaving, and they kind of laughed it off. In fairness, I had said that I was leaving many times before. I am not sure I would have taken myself seriously either. I lived in a city and state I despised. A place I moved for my ex-husband and never wanted to go. 11 years of disgust. I was surround by pernicious people. People who were so unhappy in their own lives that you felt the bad vibes as soon as you went outside. It brought me nothing but pain. I had many toxic friendships that drew the life out of me. I slowly became a person I hated. Someone I didn't recognize when I looked in the mirror. I tried so hard to be happy... to grow and thrive where I was. I cut off the bad people. All of them. I kept to myself. But just like trees and plants.... if your roots are in bad soil, and your limbs and branches can not reach the light... you can not grow. I saved money, set small term goals and the end of March, 2018 I said goodbye forever to Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Life here in Chicago isn't perfect. I am still grieving. I am fighting PTSD, anxiety, and depression. However, I swear every single day I somehow still feel blessed. I feel as if my worst days here are so much better than some of the best in Pennsylvania. This year my goals are spiritual. Continue to thrive, find my relationship with nature and the universe. To make my own magic... only putting out kindness. I will post the full list below. If anyone reading this is scared to make a change, or doesn't think it will be worth it... I am here to tell you ignore those voices and set the goals. If I can do it, anyone can. You are worth the love and happiness in this world. Don't settle for anything less.

Our first Christmas in Illinois is filled with brand new traditions and keeping true to some of the old family ones as well. Friday was all about Winter Solstice and The Yule celebrations. We lit candles, remembered our loved ones, had a nice dinner, fixed our winter alter and charged our crystals with the full moon. Saturday was the early Celebration of my daughter's 19th birthday. Sunday we wrapped gifts and put them under the tree. Today, Christmas eve is all about my Italian side. We've been cooking and making crafts all day. I am making a big dinner. Then tomorrow is for our Mexican side of the family and we will be spending it with grandma, grandpa and the rest of the family. I can't wait for tamales.

The thing about #BestNine and their #BestNine2018 look back of my pictures is that they're based on other people's likes. The best of my year is being decided based on what other people enjoyed. What they picked apart from my moments.... my life. That doesn't sit well with me. I have spent far too long letting other's views on my life hold weight on my soul. - -

I would like to share my own perspective on the year. My Best Nine is the things I loved or found important in 2018. It's actually twelve (so much better than Nine) of my favorite pictures