Luckily, I had the day off today! Did you? Coop was not so lucky. So I took it upon myself to still get up early and get some things done on my own! Still on tap for today are some drawings and a commissioned portrait, and dinner and drinks (seafood and pitchers of beer!) with the ‘rents, Coop, and friends of my parents.

But so far today, I have gone to Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and Total Wine with intentions of getting stuff for a cheese plate/dips/spreads for tonight and tomorrow, ingredients to make a salad inspired by one I had in Doylestown a few months ago (Pecans! Cranberries! Swiss Cheese! Vanilla Vinaigrette! Recipe to come…), and a make-your-own six-pack.

One of my favorite things in the world when I have “me time” is strolling through these places, finding new and exciting (or tried and true) foods and drink.

Like these two cookie butters! (Taste tested them both this morning….both ridic. Oh. My Lord.)

I also did my last workout of 2012 (BodyPump, with a broken-ish finger. I jammed my ring finger hard on Saturday afternoon when I took Koda for a run)!

Allowing myself to do these seemingly trivial things today, on the last day of the year, helped me to put things into perspective. I often yearn for what I will have, and push for the future. This helps keep me motivated and determined, no doubt, but for 2013, I really aim to keep doing what I am doing (working hard at my jobs, expanding my design and illustration business, balancing fun, food, fitness, and relationships) while staying in the moment. Realizing what joy I got today out of simply food shopping at my favorite stores and taking a class at the gym with a group of motivated and energetic individuals really helped me to see how lucky I am. Although I am no where close to where I thought I would be in my life at 25, I am still able to pay for my food bills; I am able to push my body in workouts and fuel it with healthy foods. I went through a scare earlier this year where I had lots of internal and back pain for many weeks, and I thought I’d never be able to exercise again. After discovering a chiropractor when nothing else was working, I was finally fixed and am building up my strength again; just today I finally got back to my normal squat weight and feel really healthy and strong. I often wish I could have more time to dedicate to my business, but I should be appreciative for all the new ideas and opportunities that are coming for Sam Bock Illustration & Design. So many awesome things coming up, including a new line for an older demographic (think plates, mugs, pillows).

I am lucky enough to have met the perfect person for me, and my family and friends are so, so wonderful. I am thankful for so many things, and I need to let go of the constant yearning for the future and be happy where I am right now! And it’s just getting better and better. There are SO many awesome things coming up in 2013. I think we could all benefit from realizing what great things we have going on in our lives when oftentimes we let those little moments and achievements pass by because we are just too busy pushing forward.

Happy New Year. xo