I used to cry sometimes when it was time for my mom to pick me up from a friend’s party. I remember her saying, “Honey, there are going to be more parties. If you had fun, there’s nothing to be sad about!” At the time, however, at 6 or 7 years old, it was difficult to see even beyond the next day! “But how do you know?” I would often say amidst my blubbering cries and arms sternly crossed across my chest, head looking down.

I mean . . . Would there be another slumber party where we watched Teen Wolf and ate cookies past our bedtimes? Deep down, I remember knowing my mother was speaking words of wisdom. But deep, deep down, I still wasn’t sure if that really marked the end of all fun ever to be had!

But then life happened. And throughout the years, I came to the realization that my mom was on to something.

Turned out that not only were there a lot of “fun times” I would experience, I began to understand something very interesting . . . and special. That at the end of one thing began the beginning of something else. When I really felt this, I was 21 years old and taking a religion course in college. I was so moved by the famous Chinese yin-yang symbol that I quickly got it tattooed on my lower back (Ok, fine, a “tramp stamp”). I felt drawn to this symbol because it stood for the interconnected forces of seemingly opposites. Basically, where there is sadness, there is happiness. That, in essence, one does not exist without the other. I found the yin-yang beautiful and supportive as I journeyed through the world. Never one to be completely comfortable with change, I gradually found peace in mourning the end of something, while embracing the excitement that would come with something new.

Currently, I live in Los Angeles, working in the fields of fashion and Internet marketing. I’ve finally come home at 32 years old, after growing up in the Inland Empire. With my good ‘ol yin-yang embedded in my skin, my arms are open to new experiences. I’m slowly turning coworkers into friends, finding peace coexisting with a house full of roommates, and creating connections throughout the industries more than ever before. But with these exciting changes does come a bit of sadness . . . naturally. I left a handful of people I would regularly speak to, hang out with, and confide in. I don’t frequent my parents’ dinner table nearly as often. I don’t see my close girlfriends and their children much anymore.

But as one pursues her passion, I’ve come to the understanding that this happens. You know . . . moving beyond what is comfortable to a world of opportunities that you’ve worked so hard to get to.

That being said, the stages we’re at do not always stay in sync with others close to you. Sometimes it’s difficult to relate as you once did. A bit sad sometimes, sure. But I also believe that the changes that come with getting older are what make re-uniting all that much more exciting!

Fortunately, the modern phenomenon of social networking allows us to still connect and keep tabs on each other’s lives. I love checking out my loved ones’ and friends’ photos featuring their new hairstyles, outfits, trips . . . kids. While talking on the phone and texting is few and far between now, I am hopeful that all of our new beginnings will somehow bring us back in touch. Whenever that time should come.

So I say to y’all, as you will likely be visiting with family and friends this holiday season, may you find gratitude in all that you’ve ever experienced. Be thankful for what you had, what you have, and where you’re headed.

. . . Happy Holidays!