One of my "new year's resolutions" (placed inside quotation marks only because I have broken all of my previous ones within days, sometimes within hours of making them) was to do the whole Mass thing on Sundays again.

My parents aren't exactly religious. Both are v. definitely spiritual. Both have read The Secret and like Joel Osteen, lol. (Yeah, I totally went to hear Joel speak at a v. packed arena last year with my mom and her besties.) But my grandmothers were the ones who pushed for them to transfer the older brother and I into Catholic school post-Rockway Elementary.

When I started going to Mass with St. Agatha School on a regular basis (during the school day!), I just found my place; I fell in love with my faith. Later in high school, I joined Campus Ministry and made it to CORE. Think of CORE as the VIPs from Campus Ministry. (I know, how v. elitist of our school, but not in a bad way.) CORE peeps would organize retreats and "encounters." Retreats were one-day and encounters were three days.

I swear, the happiest I've ever been in my life was when I had a million things going on. When I was in CORE, when I was......the President of the English Honor Society and when I had a serious boyfriend. I was always running around like a madwoman. I realize that maybe I was doing too much at once, but I was ecstatic! I volunteered here and there...I was feeding the homeless every Saturday morning in downtown Miami. I just loved life!

Nine years have come and gone. I've been active in my faith, I've taken breaks. I've had serious boyfriends, I've been single (and at times lonely). I've been involved in my career, sometimes I've taken a backseat and let others take the reign.

Point is, I'm happiest when I'm busy. I'm happily busy when I'm doing things that quench all my soul yearns for (and, let's face it, I yearn for a lot). I love going to Mass with my aunt & uncle (they are brother & sister, not husband & wife, btw). I love the fact that I adore my job; I am amazed each day by my middle schoolers and their fresh outlook on Life.

What I'm trying to get at is...happiness is hard to achieve. But it's not impossible. All those quotes about happiness being part of the journey and not the destination...you people, they are true! I'm just now, at 26, starting to realize that the quotes/clichés are true. That's not to say that we have to plaster fake smiles across our faces during the difficult times. And God knows WE ALL face tough times. But it's all about attitude. And we can't allow ourselves to wallow in misery. I've wallowed. And it's gotten me absolutely...nowhere. When I choose to rise above obstacles, whether they are big or small, I always emerge a happier, more positive and, actually, a more spiritual being.

At Mass this morning, the priest (v. electric, v. hyper!) was giving his Homily. It's the second time I hear him speak, and I was so moved. Last Sunday, I was touched to tears. This Sunday, I chuckled at his sense of humor. During the Homily, he refers to the Bible and all, but he wants to relate the Gospel's message to us as modern-day citizens of this world. He said he never understood why painters depict Jesus as a "bearded Brad Pitt." So funny! And true. I would love to really get into his message, but I'll save it for another day.

I didn't mean to get all preachy-preachy, but I did want to blog about something meaningful. And my faith, to me, is meaningful. And if any of you feel the same way, or have ever felt the same way, or want to feel the same way someday...my heart is with you! Don't give up on your faith. (And don't believe in what you parents spoon-fed you just because it's a habit! Venture out and discover whatever works for you.)

Last night I read the blog I posted on Jan. 1. It's a little freaky how, on Jan. 18, things are kind of falling into place for me. I hope that whatever you wished for on Dec. 31 while eating the twelve grapes (was that just my family? lol) comes true!

Now, just for fun:

(Am I going to hell for this? LOL! The Catholic guilt kicks in!)

I rang in 2009 with my dad's side of the family, a much smaller bunch than my mom's. After midnight, we watched Ricky Martin perform a concert in (we think) Puerto Rico and I fell in love with the man. Yes, yes, I know he's gay or bi- or whatever. But that doesn't change the fact that he's gorgeous and talented.

I picked up best friend Natalie at her house and we went to best friend Caryn's sister's house for a party. We got home at 4 a.m. and it wasn't because we were dancing the night away. We just sat around and talked, laughed at a crazy situation regarding a guy who wasn't out of the closet but who was very gay. "Not that there's anything wrong with that." (Seinfeld episode, hilarious.)

Slept at Nat's and we talked for HOURS. (Her parents are in Atlanta and boyfriend Jorge was working.) This is a true miracle for me, seeing as I have been one of those old ladies who falls asleep early ever since high school. We covered everything from ex-boyfriends to current boyfriend (hers), old friends and new friends and everything in between. Nothing warms the heart more than a night of talking with your best friend since kindergarten.

Today we had a late breakfast at my godmother Odi's house. It's been a Jan. 1 tradition in our family for years and I'm glad Nat was able to share it with us this year. It took me a while to convince her because we were both exhausted, but I lured her with the promise of chocolate-chip pancakes, scrambled eggs and ham. (Totally worked.) 

I've been feeling very at peace on this first day of the new year. I am usually worried about something or turmoiled over some circumstance or another that I have no control over. Today (and, of course, I'm not sure how long this will last), I am relishing in this newfound sense of comfort. It's like I know that somehow, things will turn out OK. Not just for me, but for all of my loved ones. Not saying things will be perfect; nothing is. But they'll be OK.