New Year’s Eve 2019

Really? Party like it’s 2019? 20 years after the Prince song? Goodness, I have survived so many years!

I spent this evening with my generous, gracious friends, Kym and Alex, and their fur babies, Harley and Quinn. The sweetest, most pettable, best behaved ambassadogs ever!

This is the last evening of a most challenging year, and a decade filled with change. I once said, in angst, to my friend, Rick, “I don’t know if I can take any more of this! So much stress and change! It’s just one thing after another…”. He responded, “Megan, that’s life. If that stops, you’re dead.” So true, Rick. So true.

After a few years of contemplating, some planning time, and not nearly enough preparation, I purchased an RV and got rid of most of my possessions. Truthfully, I’m sure there’s more I could have purged, but I’ll figure that out later. For now, everything sort of fits in my new home on wheels.

Over the last few nights I have discovered a significant draft under the head of my bed. I suppose I could just sleep the other way, but it seems awkward. I’ll have to insulate the exterior storage area, which is under the head area. I could also get some sort of barrier and internal insulation, plus the current mattress, and add a mattress topper. That would solve the firmness situation. I can sleep anywhere, really. However, over the long-haul, I’d prefer comfort and decent rest.

It’s new year’s eve. Should I have capitalized that? It’s New Year’s Eve. Tomorrow will be the first day of 2020. Though I know I won’t feel significantly different, I feel this is a turning point. 2019 was a year of difficulty, challenge, loss, and change. I appreciate and invite change. It’s sort of chaotic and unsettling, which takes energy and focus away from emotions. Chaos is an effective distraction from being present. Regardless, the amount of change and loss was deeply emotional for me. My father died this past Summer. I think of him every day. That changed everything about how I was this year at work, in social situations, in friendships, in my family. Losing my father has been one of the most difficult, jarring events of my life. Perhaps that was a catalyst for this extreme choice – RV life.

I have chosen minimalism over “comfort”. Simplicity over cultural expectations of lifestyle. I am listening to that quiet, internal voice, and learning to make choices and changes based on that. I’m learning to trust that I do know what’s best, and that the universe has my back. I’m learning that no one else can possibly know what’s best for me, or be there during my darkest moments.

Oh – I’m hearing fireworks. It’s midnight. Right now. Happy New Year everyone! Fireworks. What an odd idea – make noise in the middle of the night to celebrate a moment that happens every single year. OK. I truly wish you all the best in this year to come. I hope that the world comes together to make life better for all who suffer. I wish happiness, security, peace, and community to all beings, including myself.

I look forward to sharing this RV journey with you, my friends.

Cheers!

One response to “New Year’s Eve 2019”

  1. Lovely post about the changes in your life. I remember when my Dad was still alive & your parents came to Austin to visit my parents since my Dad couldn’t travel. At lunch, I was complaining about my problems & instead of empathizing, your Dad gave me great advice. He said something like, ‘that’s how life is, growing up is accepting & dealing with problems.’ Boy, did that shut me up. At first, I was taken aback, but then I realized that my life may not be what I envisioned it to be, but I’m better off accepting it & leaning how deal with it. (I still wonder how my Dad lived so fully & with a good attitude when he was diagnosed with the family cardiomyopathy at age 48. Before that, he was so active, hunting, fishing, running marathons, etc. Tons of meds and limitations as he grew older. Even after the heart transplant & on painful kidney dialysis 3x/wk, he kept working. I couldn’t believe his positive attitude). It still inspires me. In the past 8 years since he died & I started meditation, I continue to work on accepting life as it is and making the most of it. Death puts things in perspective.
    I admire the change that you are making in your life at this point in time. I’m looking forward to reading about your adventures. I wish you safe travels, fun, insight, and peace. Love you ❤️

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