“There are years that ask questions and years that answer.” ~Zora Neale Hurston

Dear Universe,

Recently, I came upon this quote and it’s stayed with me, popping into my head at the most unexpected moments.  I think I initially liked it because there’s a reassuring quality to it.  Confused?  Just stick it out; the answers are approaching.

And in a world where uncertainties abound, who doesn’t want to feel hope is coming—even if it takes 365 days to get here?

I look back and I can acknowledge that there are years of my life that were filled with questions, tests and more questions. (2010 a prime example.)

But when I reflect on what years had the answers, I’m not as sure.  Did 2011 bring the answers I was seeking?  How about this year—2012—is this a year of answers?

2010 was a time of extreme change for me and it made me question every aspect of my life, how I was living and what I believed.  All my questions made me want to seek out answers any way I could find them.  Most of the time a solution a direction or a feeling did surface.  (Endless hours of soul searching can have that effect.)

But answers?  The kind where explanations are spelled out for you?  In lots of ways, I’m not sure I ever got those.

I think there are some things in life we are not meant to understand.  Those are the things we must let go of to move on.  Other things may eventually make sense… after some time and perspective even.

“You can’t connect the dots looking forward.  You can only connect them looking backwards so you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.” ~Steve Jobs

But, I don’t like thinking that particular years of my life can only be classified into one category (confusion, loss, despair) or another (peace, rebirth, hope).

I’d like to think that each year might have a sprinkling of both, that revelations can come at any time, that even when things seem most dismal a spark of hope can be ignited in the next minute, hour, day or month.  I don’t want a tragic circumstance to rule out an entire year.  I’d like to believe something good is always coming from something bad—whether it’s a lesson, a new opportunity, a self-discovery or even better—something incredible you never saw coming.

In the midst of the endless questions it can be hard to believe an answer will ever come, but believing that only makes it truer.

“You have to trust in something—your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever—because believing that the dots will connect down the road will give you the confidence to follow your heart, even when it leads you off the well-worn path, and that will make all the difference.”  ~Steve Jobs

Wherever you are at—whether you are in the middle of questions, in the middle of letting go or in the process of actually connecting the dots, it’s where you are meant to be.  They are all a crucial part of the journey.

Thanks for letting me fully realize that.

Much Gratitude,

A