Happy New Year!
Dear 2011,
I just wanted to say hello, welcome, and damn I’m happy to meet you! Last year was a pretty rough year. 2010 was a blur of toxic personal relationships, challenging financial issues, and working my knuckles raw for a dying company that I wasn’t able to save. By September I was destroyed. 2010 essentially took a bite out of me, chewed me up, and then spit me out into a thousand little pieces. I’ve spent the past almost 3 months driving around the country with Yoda trying to put those pieces together again.
Now, here I sit in Arkansas, with no definite end to my road trip in sight, and I realize that hitting rock bottom was actually a gift. It forced me, for the first time in my life, to be brutally honest with myself about what I want out of life. I’ve found a deep passion for writing and for owning my truths by sharing them with others. As a result, I’ve started writing for The Huffington Post, something I never in my wildest dreams imagined I’d be invited to do. The road continues to teach me profound and life altering lessons. I’ve reconnected with old friend after old friend after old friend after old friend, and I’ve made new friend after new friend after new friend.
One of the most rewarding parts of my voyage has been the snowball effect from making my pain public and sharing my journey of growth.  I’ve had numerous people, some whom I know and others who found my blog in cyberspace, e-mail to share their stories with me.  There’s a lot of suffering out there in the world right now. Yet, there’s even more strength. These people are all determined to make positive changes in their lives, to grow from their hardships, and to share their journeys with others.
Quite likely that simple ritual, sharing our journeys, is one of the golden tickets to happiness. I live in Los Angeles (or at least I did until I moved into my car).  Los Angeles is a town that thrives on youth, beauty, wealth and power. That’s a toxic environment for even the most grounded and well-adjusted people. As a result, materialism and pretentious attitudes are everywhere in L.A. When I left, I carried anger and resentment for Hollywood types who fell victim to these trappings. However now, after clearing my head and beginning to center myself with the road, my heart goes out to them. They’re just lost, trying to find peace and acceptance like everyone else in the world. I can’t help but imagine what a healthier city Los Angeles would be, and every other place for that matter, if people would just be REAL. My new year’s wish is for us all to be honest about our insecurities, be honest about our pain, and be there for each other by sharing our stories. Whether we like it or not, we are all part of the same collective energy that makes up the Universe. So let’s get real, get raw, learn from one another, and become happy together.
In closing, 2011, please be kind to us all this year. I think I love you already.
Sincerely,
Kee Kee
Read me on The Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christine-buckley/
{ 1 comment }
This is great! Super inspiring well done Christine!!!! Please put me on your email list…
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