It’s the final hours of the year, and I’m left as I always am: pondering. Reflective. I don’t think I have ever felt more sentimentally attached to a year as I do this one. I am, in no way, the same person I was at this time last year. God knows 2010 was a rough year for my family and I- and though there were definitely things I wished for- I was just happy to have made it to and through the holidays together. Little did I know that the upcoming year would provide me with memories and experiences I never thought I would acquire. They weren’t always beautiful, but they were always, always essential. I was inspired, I was loved, I fell in love, I felt beautiful thoughts, I endured painful consequences, I read lovely books, I laughed at jokes- some witty, others not so much, I listened to music and sang songs that stirred my soul. So, in celebration of saying goodbye to 2011, here is a small, hindsight list of lessons that personified this year for me:
- Don’t run away. Even when you think it’s easier or will bring you more joy. It won’t.
- Put positivity out into the world. It usually comes back 10 fold.
- Every day may not be beautiful, but there is beauty in every day.
- When given the choice- choose happiness. Always.
- Furthermore, never rely on someone or something to decide your happiness. Only YOU are in charge of that, and it is a state of mind you must CHOOSE (see above).
- Don’t spend your present worrying about a future you can’t control.
- Do things that make you HAPPY.
- Concurrently, surround yourself with people who make you happy and lift you UP, not the ones who bring you DOWN.
- Own your feelings. Talk about them, write them down, whatever it takes for you to identify and acknowledge them.
- Don’t just give love with the expectation of getting love in return. When you truly love, it’s not a choice, and it’s given without stipulation.
- Believe that it’s okay to not know some things. Life is a learning process. As long as you are always striving to further that knowledge, that’s all that matters.
- NEVER SETTLE for less than you deserve or REST on what you have already achieved. Growth doesn’t happen by standing still.
- Sometimes you have to walk away from what you WANT in order to get what you NEED.
- Allow yourself (and others) time. Don’t rush things. Just let situations play out.
- SMILE. You might be surprised by what it does for you and others.
- Give (honest) compliments. Sometimes, the littlest kindness can make the difference between someone and their breaking point.
- When people say relationships are hard work—they aren’t kidding.
- Don’t lose yourself in someone else, no matter how happy they make you. That happiness, much like a bubble, could burst at any moment and you still have to know yourself outside that protective, shiny barrier.
- Always be yourself. As Dr.Suess said: People who mind don’t matter and people who matter don’t mind.
- Make goals and celebrate little successes.
- The only way to push PAST fear is to push THROUGH it.
- Being fearless isn’t having no fears. No- being fearless is being scared to death, but jumping anyway.
- Life is hard and crazy and beautiful and chaotic and amazing. Even in the moments where you think you are literally breaking apart piece by piece. Because there will come a time when you realize that pain and those scars have made you who you are right now. And what a beautifully broken person that is!
Happy New Year, everyone! I hope 2012 is wonderful for you all.
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