I cannot believe that I have made it to my 400th post. One-hundred…four times over. That’s nuts, at least for me. Considering that, up until a few years ago, I had used pens, colored pencils and paintbrushes as my mode of creative communication, this staggers me. But, I have always loved words and loved creativity and boy, it’s fun to pair the two together these days. This has been one of the most surprisingly wonderful creative endeavors that I have taken on to date and I love where it is leading me.

On days when writing a post seems like a chore or those times when I really struggle to come up with something new to say (I should really know by now to just head straight to the shower. All my good ideas seem to happen there), I have to remind myself of all the people I would not have met or the experiences I would not have had if I hadn’t started this blog in the first place. I’m not even entirely sure what propelled me besides some friends asking if I blogged after reading my quippy responses on Facebook or that I was apparently in a what-the-heck mood. But something whispered to me to try it and I’m glad that I lassoed that thought before it ran away.

So, in honor of a milestone and of good words, I have found some inspiring quotes to begin the new year and new era of posts. Nothing like a good quote or thought to fire you up, make you think or just make you happy….do I dare toast to 400 more?

We must go ahead and see for ourselves. -Jacques Cousteau

To change is to live…to live is to change…and not to change is to die.-Tennessee Williams

I take pleasure in ‘my transformations’. I look quiet and consistent, but few know how many women there are in me.-Anais Nin

You cannot travel on the Path before you have become the Path itself.-Buddha

Replacing instincts with thoughts trades some of our strongest observation software for some of our weakest-Martha Beck

To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.-Winston Churchill

(to honor my love of yoga…) Yoga is a dance between control and surrender-between pushing and letting go-and when to push and when to let go becomes part of the creative process, part of the open-ended exploration of your being-Joel Kramer

…and even though I’m not yet this age, it’s still a great quote and philosophy for any age…

I didn’t do this because I was in my sixes. I just happened to be in my sixties.-Diana Nyad, on swimming 110-miles from Havana to Key West

Thank you all for commenting, liking and being so enthusiastic about the first 400 posts. I cannot thank you all enough for encouraging this girl to try something new!