Every year for the last seven years I have spent New Years Eve in different cities with different people. In 2009 I was in Winnipeg, 2010 I was in El Fuerte, 2011 I was in Culiacan, 2012 I was in Mexico City, 2013 and 2014 I was actually in Tlaquepaque both years but with different people, and 2015 I was in Mazatlan. This year I was recovering from a nasty bout of food poisoning on New Year’s Eve so I toasted in the new year with PowerAde while my friend rang it in with alcohol. Ok, he did persuade me to take a couple of sips but it was not my drink of choice that night.

After checking old blog posts and journals, I am now ready to write my first post of 2016. First of all, I’d like to wish everyone a fabulous 2016. May you be blessed with good health, happiness and peace in your lives.

The beginning of the year always means wonderful resolutions and intentions.  As for me, I have but one resolution and that is to take care of ME. I am not going to pressure myself with a myriad of resolutions that will be impossible to achieve. I am going to do what makes ME happy and it doesn’t matter to me what other people think or say.

I know that while many of you will support this reasoning, there are also those who may view this as being selfish or narcissistic even. Congratulations skeptics as you are the true narcissists! That’s right! People like me have always enabled people like you throughout our lives. Well, now you’re on your own. It’s time to take care of me. Judge me all you want. I simply don’t care anymore.

I spent too many years of my life involved in a career I detested and remaining in an unhappy marriage–all as it was in the best interests of others. I’ve always tried to do the right thing, although my efforts often went unacknowledged. After decades of banging my head against that brick wall, I realize that it’s time to put myself first instead of everyone else in my life. 

Do you also find yourself in a similar position? Is it finally time to take care of yourself? 

 Who is with me? Are you in?