Though Santa Cruz was spared during the recent fires that engulfed most of California, I couldn’t help but feel affected by what was happening to my neighbors. When you see friends, family, and strangers lose everything, you can’t help but be reminded of what’s truly important in life.

We live in such a fast paced time where we are constantly in a high speed race to get the best job, nicest digs, and start our lives that we forget that our lives have already begun.

As one of the girls who is guilty of  spending most of her time obsessing over the finish line rather than the race itself, I have decided that I am going to try to focus on what really matters to me in the present moment over the coming year. Everything else is just icing. Without further ado, here is my mindful New Year’s Resolutions list:

Make more time for friends and family

Do something nice for somebody every day

Give back

Travel

Face my fears every chance I get

Work hard

Take care of myself

Be kind

Learn something new every day

Be happy

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” –Ferris Bueller