Life has thrown me quite a few curves the last few years. To be
honest, there's been more valleys than peaks (if I can mix a
metaphor). Divorce, the loss of a business, the loss of my own
home, having to put my dog down, the loss of most of my assets,
these are but a few transitions I've been through.

But I'm still here, and today, this palm tree, bending in the
howling winds of a terrible storm, reminds me of what I'm
grateful for today -- my resilience. Many times I've been at
that point where I wonder what's the use -- but each time,
I've put one foot in front of the other and taken things a day at a time.

I'm grateful for my inner strength, my refusal to give up.
I'm grateful for a new year, filled with possibilities.
I'm grateful for new beginnings.