It is usually round this time of the year that I begin the looking back on the year. Reflection on what I learned, challenges, triumphs, set backs, moments, friendships, relationships. I love doing it. When I was deeply involved with waldorf education there is something called the ruchschau - the backwards review. According to Dennis Klocek; it is “the backward review IS(AS) a practice of soul distillation.”

This year has been one full of change. Challenging, beautiful inspiring and a sense of freedom I have probably never experiened. TO NAME A FEW POSITIVES, AND WITHIN ALL THOSE POSITIVES IS ALSO THE FLIP SIDE. NOT NECESSARILY NEGATIVE BUT THERE IS ALWAYS ANOTHER SIDE TO THE STORY. I EXPERIENCED TWO SUMMERS, TWO FALLS, AND I AM ABOUT TO BEGIN MY SECOND WINTER IN TORONTO. REALIZING ACTUALLY WHERE I LIVE GEOGRAPHICALLY WAS INTERESTING TO THINK ABOUT THE OTHER DAY. I GREW UP UNTIL 13 IN THE MIDWEST IN ILLINOIS. WHEN I MOVED HERE I KEPT THINKING I WAS ON THE EAST COAST, WHEN IN FACT I AM CLOSER TO THE MID-WEST, JUST FOUR HOURS FROM DETROIT AND ABOVE PITTSBURG GEOGRAPHICALLY. SO MUCH OF THE TIME WHEN I AM WANDERING AROUND THIS REGION I FEEL BOTH AT HOME AND FOREIGN. A LANDSCAPE FAMILIAR, YET FROM A DIFFERENT TIME IN MY LIFE. THIS YEAR HAS BROUGHT A LOT OF FREEDOMS. FREEDOM TO EXPLORE MY ARTISTRY IN A WAY I HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO DO, EVEN IN ART SCHOOL. I AM COMING FROM A PLACE SO DIFFERENT AND FAR FROM THAT TIME, AND SO HAPPY TO WRITE, THAT THAT YOUNG ENERGETIC, INTERESTED AND CURIOUS PERSON IS STILL ALIVE AND WELL IN THIS NEW/OLDER VERSION. I AM LUCKY TO BE HERE AND GRATEFUL FOR THIS LIFE AND THE PEOPLE WHO I SHARE IT WITH IN MY TINY CIRCLE OF LIFE HERE IN TORONTO, AND MY MUCH, MUCH LARGER ONE IN SEATTLE.