What a year it’s been.  On January 1st, 2016 I wrote my first blog entry.  And today I will write my last one until 2017.  Three mornings a week I woke up at 6:30 a.m. and stared at a blank page.  I had 30 minutes to figure out what to write before the “get-to-school” madness began with my three kids. Some days I was inspired by my children, my mom, a heartfelt quote, or a person gone too soon. I was touched by famous failures, people who never gave up and those who did what they loved to do.

I almost never knew what I would write about until my fingers touched the keyboard.  And I loved every minute of it.

My goal was to inspire others to be bold and fearless.  To step outside comfort zones and embrace inner voices.  And in honour of my last blog entry for this year, I decided to take my own advice.

I signed a contract to publish my blog into a book last night.  It will be coming out in 2017. It has been a dream of mine to publish a book since the year 2000 but the time was never “right.”  I finally realized that now is as good a time as any.

As 2016 winds down, I am drawn to what Neil Gaiman said, “May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness.  I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art — write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can.  And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.”

Here’s to following your heart, living fearlessly, surprising yourself and making dreams come true.