Last night was New Years Eve and some friends came over to celebrate.  We had a decadent night that included too many champagne coctails and too much cheese.  Cheese fondue, baked brie, you get the picture.

I’m glad we did it for two reasons.  One, it was good to indulge in one last crazy meal because for the next 5 months I will be very aware and present for every calories that is around me.   And two, because eating like that makes me feel like crap and it’s good to remind myself of that every now and again.

I woke up this morning so grateful that we are given these milestones in life.  Can you imagine if every day was like every other?  The New Year is a great time to stop and while feeling gratitude for the year we’ve had, also to know we can do better.  We can always do better.

It’s not only going to be a better year, it’s going to be a better decade.  And since I’m turning forty this year, it’s going to be a whole new decade for me.  My forties.  Wow.  I still can’t quite wrap my head around that.

But I’m grateful for this opportunity to put on the brakes and change the one thing in my entire life that I am unsatisfied with before I hit that milestone.  So when I hit it I will have no regrets.  I will feel nothing but joy and gratitude at the opportunity to turn 40.

At least that’s what I’m telling myself today.  January 1st, 2010.