Susana Kennedy... On my mind: Live your Dream, be inspired, be everything you want to be and more...focus on the positive

People are constantly trying to get me to pick one thing, to be one thing and the more I try the more diverse my life seems to become, because I cant be just one thing, I am so many things, each of them giving me an experience, growing me in a different way and adding to the colorful tapestry that is my life... I have always believed that every single human being contains all things - good, bad, deceit, honor, courage, cowardice, love, hate... we need to make conscious choices in creating the life we want to live, to make ourselves who we want to be. I have always said that I want to live a full life, experience everything that I can, taste every taste, hear every sound, see every city, take on every challenge, live my life to the absolute fullest.

Yes, I often chose the road less travelled and the frequently travelled one too, I am a crazy mix of oil and water, I love adventure and crave the comfort of familiarity. And so I think I wasn't clear enough when I made the statement "I want to experience everything in 2012" because true to form, I had huge high's and really desperate lows... you have to be so specific when you create your reality, because yes, I definitely got what I asked for, this year was incredibly FULL of EVERYTHING...

Because life is teaching me to be more specific, and I know that what we ask for we receive, what we give focus to we attract, in this post I am going to focus on the positives... above all I chose a life where the positive out weighs the negative, where I will laugh far more than I will cry and where my actions matter to not only me but better the lives of others too... I want to look back on my life when I'm 93 and after playing hide and seek with my grandchildren telling them bed times stories, real adventures about love, passion, danger, courage and victories that their grandmother actually lived...so Yes I want a full life of positive, happy, thrilling adventure, devouring every moment of the ride... and we can leave out the negative ;-)

I had many firsts in 2012, I lived away from my family in a new city for the first time and I fell completely in love... not with a man but with my home, Cape Town the most beautiful city in the world! It was my first year of being single, ever, for a full year (since I was in nappies). I started my own radio talk show which was a dream come true, allowing me to combine, performance, directing and producing - three of my main passions! (Thank you 2oceansvibe for believing in me) I began to heal what I had thought was an irreparably broken heart, I stuffed up, I stumbled and fell, but I lived within my truth, always did my best and was never defeated.

I laughed till I cried, I cried till I laughed, I learnt how to look out for me and embraced with gratitude and trust this journey that is my life. I surrendered to the fact that we attract all experiences into our lives, good and bad, and although we may not understand why at the time, if we trust that everything happens for a reason, we will soon learn why and be grateful for the lesson, no matter how hard it was to learn. I was brave and accomplished many wonderful, exciting things... looking back on 2012 makes me realize, I certainly achieved my goal, all in all, I truly lived, and although I have been faced with some huge challenges, the good has most certainly made the ride worthwhile.

So I decided to put together a few photo's (I wish I had room for more) of some of the things that "I was" (because I cannot be one thing) and that "I did" (because there were so many) this year - after all, thanks to you and moments like these, 2012 will remain forever unforgettable!

Within 2012 I was...Daring...

I raced extreme Ultra Marathon off road runner, Ryan Sands in a paraglyder off signal hill and down to Seapoint Promenade...http://ryansandes.com/

I felt Overjoyed...

So many times and for so many reasons, one of which was when my sister Kiki came to live with me in Cape Town...

I felt pride...

Sabrina's fashion line took off...http://www.sabrinakennedy.co.za/ :-D

I have been a Producer... and a mentor on various films and productions...

I became a Radio Talk Show host ...

It all started with "Sox and the City" on 2oceansvibe Radio, I joined Sox as his Co-Host...

I will always be grateful, thank you Sox, it was So Much fun!

and then before I knew it...

which is a dream come true...

I have met some amazing people...

I've had wonderful conversations, laugh's, insights and more...

A massive thank you to 2oceansvibe Radio, Richard Hardiman, Seth Rotherham, Kirsty and everyone else, Thank you for believing in me, you have
changed my life, Thank You!

I've been an Actress...

I have done my best to serve others and leave every place a little bit better than it was before I arrived...

I have made friends for life...

Rita (a lovely capetonian friend I met in jhb), Me, Vanessa and Lorna...

I met Ness on the 1st on Jan 2012 and quickly found a Grrrrrreat BFF ;-)

(she possibly enjoys roaring more then me - which is a first!)

Ness introduced me to Miss Fantastic Lorna and we quickly became tight like tigers, these girls are true friends, I feel extremely blessed...

Although us Gal's often travel in a pack, there are many other friends (old and new) that have made this year amazing... (these are only a few)

and I experienced that when friendship is true, it cannot be defeated by distance...

Friendship requires effort, understanding and care, even more so when you live far apart. Moving cities very quickly allows you to see true friendship and treasure it... I have friends all over the world, I love you all, thank you for enriching my life so magnificently.

I met The "No Danger Diary's" Men - love their work and love them too,

such great guys!

I got to spend time with my beautiful cousin - I am loving having discovered a beautiful cousin I never knew I had, lucky me (and Nic, love you too)...

I even interviewed the lovely real life "Elle Woods" Ms Emma Sadleir...

and the ever inspiring Mandi Strimling...

I partied like a Rock Star...

lets, keep this one short, can't put them all in, there were so many ;-)

I have walked the red carpet with one of my films being nominated...

I saw my incredible family frequently throughout the year...

the 31st of December 2011...

and ended it all with a wonderful Christmas filled with love and laughter

I have learnt so much, grown so much, hurt so much and laughed so much, thank you from the bottom of my heart to each and every person who contributed to making this year absolutely unforgettable; to my wonderful family, my incredible friends, my lovely guests, my various crew and cast, my followers and those of you who take the time to read my blog and tune into my show, I appreciate it more than you know, my cup doth truly 'runneth over'.

I have so much up my sleeve for 2013 and am feeling excited and open as to what lies ahead, looking forward to creating many more awesome memories' with all of you, and my I wish for you is that the best of last year is the worst of this year, may all your dreams come true, the ones you know of and even the ones which will surprise, delight and enthrall you, have an incredible, memorable, positive 2013 filled with love, success and happiness!

My two cents for the year ahead...

Be brave, take risks, dare to dream, live with dignity, embrace life...

Be who you want to be, live the life you want to live, create it,

one dream and one action at a time...

Because You are.

If you keep moaning about the fact that you never win the lottery but never bother buying a ticket, then realise that that is the reason why, Stop procrastinating, make it happen!

take action to change the things you can...and surrender to the things you cant...

be wise enough to know the difference...

Always remember...

Everything is possible...

Never give up...

"Get to know yourself and do it on purpose" Dolly Parton said that and I agree, because if you know yourself, really know yourself and are prepared to look at yourself honestly and always do your best, then encountering a negative opinion of you will not define you...

So so true... such a hard lesson to learn, but completely essential...

Sometimes happiness creeps up on you, sometimes it quietly exists all around you and sometimes you need to consciously choose it... begin with counting your blessings, it always helps me...and