Here we go... 2012

Well, it isn't exactly midnight but an occasion such as New Year's Eve calls for a blog post.

I don't know exactly where to start or even where to end. 

But I suppose that "c'est la vie,"- it's not quite a movie that simply begins and ends.

It is more like a series of ups and downs, happy and sad instances, and everything in between strung together by years, days, minutes, and seconds.

And let me tell you: I am so ready for this new year.

2011 was challenging for me. It challenged me in ways I could have never imagined.

However each and every challenge was just what I needed.

I feel like I grew immensely this year because of trials which forced me to look inside and behind. 

Because that is exactly where what we need is: inside and behind.

Looking inside allowed me to find out what I really want (for now), and looking behind allowed me to deal with things I had previously ignored which greatly affected me.

Nevertheless if I had to choose one principle to focus on for 2011 it would be HONESTY.

Honesty with God, myself, and others.

Taking a problem, sweeping it under a rug, and pretending like it is not there simply gives it more power.

However when we are honest with God, ourselves, and others, trials which burden us stop holding us back and start setting us free.

Through honesty we allow ourselves to become the kind of people we want to be.

No more pretending is required when we are honest.

We are allowed to be what we want because we accept what we are through it [honesty].

We release negative thoughts and actions when we acknowledge them and work through them because we take away their power, allowing others to do the same.

So if I had one hope for this upcoming year it would be that continual honesty, challenges, and growth would follow me.

I am so grateful for EVERYTHING that has happened this year, both the "good" and the "bad," because it has made me who I am today and taught me thousands of lessons I will continue to carry with me forever.

I am also grateful for the people I have been blessed with this year.

Every single one has taught me something important and simply been there for me when I needed it most.

You may or may not know who you are or how you improved my life, but you have.

Thanks 2011.

You were a tough one, but great.

2012 can only get better.

Bring it on. I got bangs.