Vacation is the time we often feel our best. We're more lax with ourselves, we're free of responsibilities, we make our comfort and happiness the priority.

Then we come home and forget all about it. At home, it's back to trying to accomplish as much as we can in a day, every day.

Because there's always something to be happy about. Read more here.

Last November, I was wandering through a bookstore in Denver with my friend and came across a daily tear-off calendar called "I Am a Feminist" filled with "quotes that empower." After flipping through it, I immediately added it to my Christmas list (because when my family asks me what I want for Christmas, that's the type of thing I write down – calendars, kettlebells, a smoothie cup. Very cool.).

Lo and behold, I got it for Christmas, and it now sits on my desk at work, a nice way to start my mornings. I come in, put my purse and coat away, start up my laptop, and reveal the quote for the day. If you follow me on Instagram, you've seen these. I love them.

One of the quotes in February was, "You get what you settle for" and it's been in the forefront of my mind ever since.

Recently, I was listening to an episode of Arielle Vandenberg's new podcast "The Only Child" with Lauren Paul on as a guest. The two got on the subject of Arielle's 30th birthday party a couple of years ago, about what an amazing, special night it was. "Transformative" is how she referred to it. Surrounded by friends who made her feel so loved that she wanted to cry. A night full of dancing and laughter. A great way to enter a new decade.

I listened to this, two friends remembering one of their funnest nights together, and started thinking about my own birthdays. I don't usually have much of a celebration. I tell people not to worry about it. I wave off questions about gifts or special meals.

The funny (or weird or stupid) thing is that I actually care a lot. I want my birthday to feel special, but because I downplay it, people probably don't know that I care. I don't ask people to show up for me because I'm afraid they won't.

I decided to start the "Finding Your Spark" series to shine a light on different types of people who are following various paths – their OWN paths, whatever those may be. Sometimes those paths have been chosen; other times not. The whole idea is that there's no single way to live life and a person doesn't have to be "famous" to inspire others. These individuals have found what inspires them, motivates them, makes them happy. And they've run with it.

Read all posts in this series here.

Happy 2019, friends. While I can guarantee this is not the first New Year's blog post you've seen, so what, I'm doing it anyway, because New Year's is the best. As much as I love Thanksgiving and Christmas, I think New Year's is actually my favorite holiday.