37, Here I Come

Another whole year gone by - Wow! Everything seems to be going so fast, but when I look back it has been a very full and blessed 36. I have done so much and have been given the opportunity to grow in so many ways. Looking back, these are a few of the highlights of 36:

* Jumping out of a perfectly good airplane - my first skydive!

* A new job at the children's hospital. It's been a busy, but fun ride. I love my job and the people I work with.

* Christmas with most of my immediately family in Florida. I get to do this again this year but this time we will have the complete crew - all four brothers - for the first time in many years.

* A wild New Years party here in Nashville with my buddies at my home.

* Remodelling my home.

* Sharing Sufi hymns at the 1st Nashville Interfaith Music Festival.

* My dear friend Linda got engaged and we got to throw her surprise engagement party.

* My Sufi family here in Nashville got to go on retreat in the Mountains of North Carolina together. It was a magical time for all of us.

* Whitewater rafting in the Smokey's with Irene and Carey.

* The Bastille Day party at the French house. A party our group of friends throw every year. It was featured in the Nashville Rage and was also closed down by the cops - a prerequisite for any good party.

* I got to see my first big concert in years when I went to watch Jamie Cullum with Nicole and Gerry. I must confess that Gerry, after a few beers, was infinitely more interesting than the artist we were watching.

* Visiting Switzerland - I have not been in a few years. I feel very privilege to have been invited by Atum to share my personal form of meditation at the annual Sufi Gathering in the Swiss Alps. I also enjoyed the crazy awesome Zurich Street Parade (largest rave/techno street party in the world with over 800,000 people this year) and being with my beloved friends Joan, Bovi, Yves, Simone and all their children.

* Going to Ohio to visit my bro Michael. We always have a blast when we are together. Michael, you are a crazy bitch!! I will be coming to visit when you move to California.

* The 3 days of nausea I felt after riding those puke inducing rides at the Tennessee State Fair. Despite its redneck craziness the fair is always fun.

* The group's fun packed weekend in Atlanta. I got to hang with my cousin Tina and her two girls. Terrific restaurants, the great nightlife, and the wallet thinning shopping. We are going back again and again.

* Roller skating on Emily's birthday- it's been years! Lots of fun!!

* Canoeing down the Harpeth with some old and news friends.

* Drumming at Short Mountain and dancing like a madman at the Fall Gathering.

What a year!!

For the coming year I intend to do more travelling, I want to write more - poetry and music, and be outdoors as much as can be. I have really enjoyed learning about myself and the people around me and want to continue to grow through social interaction. I am thankful that both my job and personal environment give me lots of opportunities to do that. I also want to give myself time to read. This is something I use to do often years ago. I can't remember the last time I read a book cover to cover. Life is too short!! There is just not enough time to do everything. I am grateful for everyone that encourages me and supports me in my quest to experience every moment fully.