How Do You Measure a Year?

Today, my alarm clock went off at 5:30 a.m.. For the 52nd time, I crawled out of bed, put on my swimming suit, packed my swimming bag, and headed out the door to meet the best friends a girl could have for our weekly swim.

Our morning swim was just like all of the other 51 morning swims we've shared.  We laughed on the way out of the locker room, we commented at how cold the water was, we procrastinated and chit chatted to avoid actually getting in, and we swam several laps {even sprinting a few}. 


Today, however, as we pushed ourselves up out of the pool, we accomplished something BIG, something we set out to do one year ago.  We had just completed 5 workouts a week, for at least 15 minutes a workout {most workouts were between 30-45 minutes}, for 52 straight weeks.

We had just lived out one life changing year.


As I reflected on this past year and what I wanted to say about it, a million things came to mind.

However, something new kept popping up as I continually thought about what I wanted to say.


The word that entered my thoughts over and over again was the word Love. 


This past year has been about four women who have loved and encouraged each other. It has been about four women who held each other accountable.  It has been about four women who loved themselves enough to become better.  It has been about four women who cheered each other on and wanted only the best for each other. It has been about four women living in grace.


All too often, women tear each other down.  We get competitive.  We let our insecurities get the best of us. We put on a front that we have it all together. We judge. We compare. 


And, in the end we all end up feeling miserable about ourselves.


This last year was about putting an end to all of that and showing the world what can happen when women extend love to each other and encourage each other.

As I sat down to write this post the thought of how do you measure a year? was suddenly upon me.  I then thought of the song, Seasons of Love, performed by the Broadway cast of Rent.  As I looked up the lyrics, I realized that this amazing song sums up this past year better than any words could.

Seasons of Love

Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred Minutes
Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Moments so dear
Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred Minutes
How Do You Measure - Measure A Year?
In Daylights - In Sunsets
In Midnights - In Cups Of Coffee
In Inches - In Miles
In Laughter - In Strife

In - Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred Minutes
How Do You Measure
A Year In The Life?

How About Love?
How About Love?
How About Love?
Measure In Love

Seasons of Love.
Seasons of Love.

Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred Minutes
Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Journeys To Plan
Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred Minutes
How Do You Measure The Life
Of A Woman Or A Man

In Truth That She Learned
Or In Times That He Cried
In Bridges He Burned
Or The Way That She Died

It's Time Now - To Sing Out
Though The Story Never Ends
Let's Celebrate
Remember A Year In The Life Of Friends

Remember the Love
Remember the Love
Remember the Love
Measure In Love

Oh you got to you got to remember the love,
You know that love is a gift from up above
Share love, give love, spread love
Measure, measure your life in love.

Measure your life, measure your life in love

In one short year there have been many sunsets and just as many daylights.  We have traveled many miles.  We have shared in laughter, in tears and in strife.  We have loved and discovered truth.  And, now it's time to celebrate!

To Katie, Kmac and B - More than words can express, thank you! Thank you for knowing that love is a gift from above. Thank you for sharing love, giving love and spreading love. Thank you for living life. You have been a blessing.

*Please note that this blog is a celebration of a life changing experience that I have been blessed with.  If you are finding yourself in a funk and feeling alone, please know that if I can do it, so can you!  If you need inspiration and great tips head over here and here.