As I mentioned in my post, That’s What It’s All About, this year was a season of loss for me. As I flick through my social media feeds, I see plenty of posts referring to 2017 as a tough, hard, or even bad year.
While it is true that the year had its challenges, we all experience periods and even years in our lives that seem worse than others. But there are two things that are very important to remember:
1. Even in the worst of times, there can be joy.
Remember this quote from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling?
“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”
-Albus Dumbledore
2. Times of trials and tribulations are when we can learn, grow, and strengthen the most.
We should not ignore or hide from moments in our lives that are difficult, but we must also actively work against falling all the way down the rabbit hole of despair and becoming overwhelmed and bogged down by it.
So as we close out the year today, I encourage all of you to reflect on what went right for you in 2017. Though my year had periods that definitely made me a tad emotionally unstable, shall I say, there were also many aspects that made it a good year on the whole.
For example, I made new wonderful friends while performing in one of the best musical theatre productions I’ve ever been a part of, I strengthened friendships that have been building more and more each year, my family has entered a new era that looks to be one of healing and solidarity, we welcomed our second Westie to our home, and so much more!
Take this moment to be grateful, humbled, and optimistic for the year ahead. Dilly Dabbler will be with you in 2018 and I hope you will include it as a regular part of your days, weeks, and months to help bring you entertainment, laughter, encouragement, inspiration, and joy.
Celebrate and be safe, friends.
Happy New Year!
Dilly Dabbler 
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