What were the highlights of 2008 for you?
Daily | December 29th, 2008
Crowning moments, blessed memories, and red-letter days…
Carrie says: Summer holiday in a Quebec township with 15 of the McCarthy clan, Style Statement published and a family created!
Danielle says: Style Statement was released…and read by thousands! My son asked me, “How big is infinity?” Tide pools in Kauai. The OptionElle speaking gig. New tattoos. Sisters who stood by. I started the next book. My wings said, “You must use us.” And I did.
The copyright of the article What were the highlights of 2008 for you? in Daily is owned by Carrieanddanielle.com. Permission to republish What were the highlights of 2008 for you? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Read more at Carrie and Danielle: Daily
December 29th, 2008 at 9:43 am
Finally being recognized for my art, and teaching myself how to be at peace.
December 29th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Buying a home, becoming certified as a coach, increasing my coaching practice monthly in spite of the recession, raising happy and mindful children in spite of divorce (and everything else children have to deal with on a day to day basis), giving back to my community, publishing my website myself, becoming empowered to run a home, business, and family by myself!
December 29th, 2008 at 10:00 am
Moving across the country. King's. Blogging. Vicky Christina Barcelona (I have no idea why). New York, New York! Jean-Georges. Hearing new music.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:02 am
My week at Kripalu where I learned how much I love YogaDance & kirtan!
December 29th, 2008 at 10:09 am
Starting my masters in journalism, learning to please myself first, writing the best story in my class, staying fit despite being busy, learning to eat better, loving more, spending more time with family, road trip in the US with my boyfriend (and not killing each other haha), learning my Style Statement! (comfortable bold!), joining Al-Anon which inspired my father to stop drinking, as well as other family members to do the same.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:11 am
To honor my turning 40 years old, I ventured on an all women, all beginners, surf safari in Sayulita, Mexico. Everything else this year unfolded as a metaphor from that experience. I balanced life as best I could, from the core. I laughed… and cried along the way, surrounded by a community that I noticed and allowed to cheer me on!
December 29th, 2008 at 10:12 am
a trance dance? i have one scheduled for late january, i cant wait!
December 29th, 2008 at 10:15 am
This was such a strange and wonderful year. The first half was really quite boring. Then…somewhere in the last half…I discovered my Style Statement, began writing again, moved house, and quit my job to freelance full time. I'm excited to see what 2009 will bring!
New Year Blessings to all of you!
December 29th, 2008 at 10:43 am
New job! I've transitioned into work that I find much more meaningful and rewarding, and it's opened up so many other doors for me! It's amazing what a difference following your heart can make.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:44 am
So hard to choose – was it discovering that my husband's business partner and childhood friend stole nearly $50,000 from him, the nine month criminal investigation that has followed and is still unresolved? Or, was it getting laid off from the job I loved, only to search for seven months and land in a job I hate, so that our house isn't foreclosed on?
December 29th, 2008 at 11:00 am
1.) I stopped having my hair colored (in May).
2.) Reconnected with friends not seen in decades.
3.) Realized that I will be 60 next year (and that has changed my view of everything).
4.) Tried to not rush through things but to “appreciate the process” more.
5.) Stumbled upon the Style Statement book on Amazon.
6.) Set up a style statement appointment for next week.
December 29th, 2008 at 11:06 am
The highlight of my personal life was the birth of my nephew which also ended up being a watershed experience for my husband. The highlight of my professional life was getting to lead a small team of people in choosing, designing and starting to implement a multi-million dollar enterprise content management system. Getting to take the idea literally from my notes on a sticky note to being close to full fruition has been wildly satisfying. The highlight of my volunteer life was getting to serve on the Board of Directors of a non-profit that really matters to me.
December 29th, 2008 at 11:20 am
SKYDIVING! The celebration of a LIFE WELL LIVED by 2 of my uncles! Retirement party for my Aunt! Me speaking UP & no longer accepting CRAP from friends and people! Expressing my REAL feelings! Going back to school! Starting the research process to write my book and taking steps to open an urban community youth center!
December 29th, 2008 at 11:21 am
Learning to say No! Taking much needed/ well deserved “Me Time” on the 7th of every month! Only accepting what I DESERVE, not settling!
December 29th, 2008 at 11:34 am
1) Reconnecting with an old friend
2) Finding my Style Statement
3) Angels On The Moon by Thriving Ivory
4) Yoga
5) New tattoo
6) Doing something I wouldn't normally do
7) Letting go of negative influences
December 29th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Married 25 years … got the diagnosis “not cancer, but nearly was” … returned to school. It's been a big year.
December 29th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
My year in Hawaii and all the great, good, and bad that came with it!
December 29th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Barack Obama as president-elect. Quitting my hell job and reopening my own private practice. Immense progress made by some of my clients. Living with a dog for the first time ever. A client's suicide. The full realization that I am almost 50 years old. Spiritual expansiveness.
And Carrie – I love Quebec City!!
December 29th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Barack Obama. Reading Even Cowgirls Get the Blues. My style statement (Cultivated Grace). Reconnecting with my twin brother. Allowing deep honesty and intimacy in my relationship. Going back to school! Letting go of destructive relationships. Drawing and making art, after an 8-year artists block! Exploring embodiment: strength training and the physical culture, dance and the 5 Rhythms, yoga. Reconnecting with my inner wisdom regarding my life purpose, and the power to play, create, and achieve. New bangs.
It's been a big year!
December 29th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Getting married to the man of my dreams! Spending a week relaxing on the beaches of Kauai. This year has brought some tough life challenges for us – we have pushed past them and learnt some lessons along the way.
December 29th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Everything was GREAT in '08. I don't think I did ANYTHING small this year…opened up great worlds and great realizations about myself
- Found the strength to leave the coocoon of a stagnant 4-year relationship to metamorph into the fun, vivacious, independent, sexy girl I used to be before I met him
- Shed the physical pounds of insecurity, self-counsciousness, 'unbeautifulness' to tone up and slim down to confidence (size 14/16 to 8/10)
- Was “recruited” to a new job at a company that values employees and sharpened the writing skills I had buried in self doubt. I didn't believe someone who didn't graduate from university could get paid for ideas and words and now I get to say at last “I AM a writer” !
- Living on my own for the first time in my 28-year life and taking in the joys of taking care of my home, my space, and me
Can't wait to see what new frontiers await in '09!
December 29th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Wishing really, really hard for a turnaround for you in 2009.
December 29th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
My red-letter days were best spent building and strengthening Red Letter Days Events, LLC (the event production company I own with Mia Saling)!
December 29th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Wow–so many…but here are a few: Finding a fabulous literary agent who believes in me 100%…attracting a major publishing house with a powerful editor who went the extra mile to be able to acquire Choosing Easy World (the book I'm in the process of polishing up right now)…writing Choosing Easy World and, thus, being so immersed in Easy World that I've been able to accept the potentially traumatic, life-changing events that have come our way over the last few months as the blessings in disguise that they are–a sign of great spiritual growth…Our 2 blessed weeks at the family cottage on the shore of Lake Michigan in September…and, like so many others, seeing our nation rise above fear to choose an inspiring leader.
December 29th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
what's the tat?
December 29th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
It is the word “Believe” spelled out using sign language
December 29th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Hanging with the boys in LA, my trips to Boston in June and September, celebrating my best friend's 40th at her family's ranch in Montana, watching Nadal at the US Open in NYC, alternately relaxing and exploring in Mexico, and finding my favorite spa in San Francisco.
December 30th, 2008 at 1:40 am
Starting my own company (after years of just thinking about it), marrying the man of dreams (after years of dating), getting pregnant to my first baby (after years of dreaming one)…..it was a very good year!!!
December 30th, 2008 at 5:22 am
Highlights of my year include getting my luggage stolen, going to Colorado, getting a new car, and then driving that car cross country to I'm sure the absolute best place in the U.S, Humboldt county California.
December 30th, 2008 at 7:20 am
Was having my Style Statement (Sophisticated Harmony) done last January the impetus for all the bold moves I've taken this year? Don't know for sure, but I'll give you credit.
1) Took an Alaskan cruise with my fabulous husband and precious daughter
2) Started the great remodel, which has been talked about for years but never put into action. Currently we are in the 8th month of a six-week job, but I don't regret a minute. Well, except for the day the air-conditioning guy stood naked in our guest room.
3) Began painting lessons. This is so huge because I've never attempted any sort of artsy endeavor before.
4) Have finally begun to embrace my un-colored hair.
December 30th, 2008 at 7:55 am
The biggest highlight of 2008 for me was the birth of my niece. She has been such a joy. The second highlight was the road trip I took with my sister, the now 5 month old niece, and my mother. We spent a week going through the old stomping grounds of my parents, where they grew up. My husband and I renovated a house this year and sold it. It was one of my proudest moments to see the finished house.
A highlight as well, was learning I had diabetes. I have been feeling so awful for so many years that it was a true relief to get on insulin and feel better!!
December 30th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
I can only offer that (and you probably already know this but a reminder is sometimes what we need) you need to trust 'the plan' and that things have to fall away from your life in order to let in what's coming, which is likely much, much better than you could have imagined. Lessons to be learned that you've been skirting around. If the Universe was nudging you and you weren't listening, it can sometimes resort to a big whack to the side of your head. Hope this is helpful in some way… ?
December 30th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
It's been a clearing away year along with new beginnings. I renewed an old relationship with a dear friend after a decade and it's better than it ever was. My husband changed career direction which has been REALLY difficult but we see that we are being 'led' to something truly wonderful, even though at retirement age, it's pretty scary. We just spent a wonderful week with our daughter over Christmas, in her home in L.A. I think Mercury is gearing up to go retrograde (Jan 11th) because everything that could go wrong on our return flight to Toronto yesterday – did! The very last thing that happened was ironic in a way. We went to pick up our car at the Park and Fly, and I jokingly said something about it would be a nice Christmas present to find out that the week was all paid for. It was at that moment that the clerk signaled the mgr., who asked us into his office and announced that MY car had been burned (but was still drivable) when the car next to it, burst into flames!! My husband has just left to get an estimate. The good news is that we were NOT charged for the week. Gee, if I am that powerful at manifesting things then I need to really fine tune this new found skill, eh? Happy New Year everyone… L
January 3rd, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Hilarious! Helps to confirm that 911 conspiracy nuts and holocaust deniers are just a bunch of losers!