Ahhhhhh, New Year’s……..that magical time of the year when one can look back at everything they feel they effed up in the previous 364 days and say “no freaking more.” (Note my paws are raised too.)

Well, 2016, I’m tapping out.

“Yup.  I’m out.”

Is it just because they were celebrities that it seemed like more than the normal amount of peeps were lost to this world this year?  I know of family, friends, pets, friendships, and even marriages that were lost this year and wonder if they don’t count on that emotional roller coaster scale too.

BUT…..

Instead of getting caught up in the inevitable “I’m going to do this and that and not to do this and that and get all ticked off because The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones continue to take those STUPIDASS MID-SEASON BREAKS“, we’re going to take a little side trip down the less-traveled road of……..

…..dare I say it…….

OPTIMISM.

Yes, the election sucked on ALL counts.  Yes, my friend’s daughter continues to have seizures.  Yes, another friend continues to battle to keep her beloved dog alive, and yes, my oldest friend in the world kicked her ex to the curb.  All bad stuff.  However, being a true believer in that irritating old saying of everything happens for a reason, (even if the reason completely stinks moosepoo), somehow the human race always seems to come out on the other side victorious.

I really do believe at the heart of it all, we can’t help but be good to each other, even if at our worst times, we tend to forget that.  Holidays tend to bring out both the best – and the worst – in many of us.  In the end though, love and compassion always seem to win out.  Every. Damn. Time.  We just have to get out of our own damn way and let the good in us just pop on out of there.

“Well, this is awkward.”

As we head into 2017, let’s try something new.  Forget the weight loss resolutions, the promises to finally get the closets cleaned out, the efforts to try and spend less money, and focus on what really matters….

Kindness.

Compassion.

Patience.

Positivity.

Love.

Belly rubs. (Wonder Mutt wanted to make sure that was on the list. Just roll with it.)

As 2016 draws to a close (none too soon), from our humble abode to yours, we wish a very, very, happy, healthy, loving, and incredible New Year.  Life truly is what you make of it, and it’s time we make it simply amazing. Felice Anno Nuovo!

Enjoy the ride.

Was 2016 a bad year for you?  Are you glad it’s over?  Are you looking forward to 2017?  What do you think is the most important thing you can do for one another?