Happy New Year!

Image: Paris

My 27th year was probably my toughest yet. My optimistic naivety was my saving grace this year (I do make magnificent mistakes). But I'm grateful I learned so much.

Apparently, I look for safety in the most dangerous of places. It's when I feel most safe that I'm most in peril. This past year, I wasn't safe. It's no wonder the skizo virgo in me was a panicked mess. 2010 was filled with the unknown, great loss, and me searching for the best way out.

Apparently, I'm also a brazen girl. I take great risks. I'm brutal in my honesty and I boldly go after my desires. (Authenticity, baby!) I follow my heart and I make it happen. I'm a shaker. I need to see physical action and movement. I define the world and myself by what acts we do and how we act towards each other.

And apparently sometimes, I "make it happen" a bit too quickly for the rest of the world (and myself) to catch up. I move quicker than most people blink and I often forget to leave time to think. (Must be the hot-blooded Italian in me).

But this is my chosen path, and I believe it takes a certain amount of bravado/stupidity to walk in my over-the-knee black leather stiletto boots. I have no regrets. And I hope you will continue to follow me.

And so my resolutions for 2011:

1. Be true. Tell the truth to myself and others.

2. Be bold and brave but never afraid. Never give in to my fears.

3. Begin. Rebuild and conquer.

4. Be calm. Take the time to pause.

And to the palmist, the voodoo priest, and my psychic life coach (yes, I'm aware I'm a crazy kook) who all told me that I'd lose everything at 27, suffer losses that would profoundly change me and the way I lived life, and then gain everything and more back... In hindsight, I'm sorry. I don't think I really believed you. But since the first part of your prediction proved true, I'll raise a glass at midnight tonight to toast a hope that you're right about the rest of it.

5. Faith. Trust and have more faith! ;-)

Don't spend your life chasing miracles. Don't spend your life living regrets. Be brave. Make love and change.

I wish you a year filled with happiness and adventure.
The Speakeasy is 1 years old!

Happy New Year!

xoxo,
A. Esterina


Image: the champagne is in the tub