2012: A year of new beginnings

2012: a year of new beginnings

As the New Year approaches, I would like to take a moment to recognize what it means to me to wash away the trials, tribulations, and sorrows of the past year, while welcoming the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of the next. I’ve never been the type to get too “hyped up” or excited about New Year’s; however, this year is quite different.

This past year has been the mother of all rollercoasters for me: complete with highs, lows, twists, turns, and even corkscrews! Needless to say, I’ve been through A LOT. But then again, so have a lot of others. Everyone, at some point or another, faces difficulties, challenges, dark moments, along with feelings of sadness, doubt, hopelessness, fear, anger, resentment, etc. Luckily for me, there have been some very special people in my life working behind the scenes to help lift me up, give me hope, cheer me on, and ultimately, let me know that even though I’m thousands of miles away, I’m not alone… ever.

So I just want to thank you (in no particular order).

ANS – It doesn’t matter that we don’t talk on a regular basis… the fact that you bought a ticket out of the blue to bring in the New Year with me in Hawaii speaks volumes. We’re in this together! And when it counts, I know you’ll always be there. And for that, I thank you.

CH - If for only the upbeat, positive messages I get every once and a while from you, letting me know that you're thinking of me and that you love me, well that's something to be thankful for. Thank you for keeping me so close in thought and listening when you can.

CGM – You have been a great sounding board. I have always appreciated your advice and opinions on things, but even more so, I am so grateful for your unconditional support through everything. I know, even though we haven’t known each other very long, you would do anything you could to help me out. It’s great having you so close by now!

JA - Thanks for always keeping things light and funny. You don't really let me get into the nitty gritty details of things. You just give me a simple "You'll be fine" or "It'll be ok" letting me know that you're not that worried... and that keeps me from worrying too. Sometimes others know your strength better than yourself. And it's wonderful you've given me that reminder.

LM – Since you sit right next to me everyday at work, it’s almost impossible not to share what’s going on in our lives. Our irrational thoughts are quite comical at times, but I'm glad we have eachother to talk ourselves down! Thank you for being a great listener and being my patron partner when needed. I’m glad we’ve realized we have so much in common!

NAM- You and I have both been through a lot this year. But I know we are not far from eachother's hearts. Thanks for the skype chats and keeping me in the loop with things even though your 4000 miles away. And thanks for letting me cry on your shoulder when it all started to fall apart. I love you always.

NCS- Despite beings thousands of miles away, in different hemispheres, and different days even, you have been a wonderful sounding board, and have always offered me wonderful, heart-felt advice. Thank you for listening, and thank you for being a great friend. Our stories are so similar... and even though it sucks that we've both had to go through such hardships - it's comforting to know we have eachother to lean on through this process.

TBT– What can I say? Well, just about anything really. And that’s the point. You’ve become one of my best friends. So simply, I just want to thank you for being you. You have kept me sane when I felt crazy, let me vent without judgment, surprised me with the unexpected, made me cry til I laughed, made me laugh til I cried… but above all, you’ve given me hope. So, thank you.

So coming into the New Year, I am simply looking forward. I am embracing the changes in my life. I am keeping my heart and mind wide open. I look forward to doing well in my job, meeting new friends any chance I get, and possibly, finding new meanings and facets of the words "peace, love, and happiness."

CHEERS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

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Perspective is Powerful

As we get closer to the end of another year, I am forced to take a good, hard look at myself, my life, my choices, my circumstances. It would be very easy for me to sink into a dark hole, feel sorry for myself, and cry. But, it hasn't happened yet, and I don't plan to let it. This Christmas will be very different for me, indeed. For the first time in my entire life, I will not be spending Christmas with my family. For the first time in my entire life, I am living completely and utterly on my own, by myself. For the first time in a long time, I have not wrapped a single present. And for the first time, in a long time, I do not have a man physically by my side. I am 4,000+ miles away from the people I love and care for the most: my family and most of my friends. That, in and of itself, is hard. But at Christmas, a holiday that as always been marked with such tradition in my life, one that has always been dearest to my heart... it makes the situation even more difficult.

So as I sit in my apartment at night by myself, looking at the Christmas tree I decorated despite it all, with presents underneath just for me, sent from my Mom... I could easily be very sad. But, I am trying my best to actively choose to view this Christmas - this whole year actually - with a different perspective: a positive perspective. I am going to try, with every fiber of my being, to embrace this Christmas like none other before, and truly relish the time I have to be with myself. And while the people I love and care for most are not physically here with me, I know they are close in heart and mind. And above all, I still have so much to be grateful for.

But I really and truly believe I just need this time - to re-establish the most important relationship in my life; to really get to know the only person I'll never ever lose: myself. Christmas is supposed to be about the gifts of life, love, family, and friendship. And I truly have all of those things in my life. But never have I truly known the meaning of Christmas as much as I do now. With so many distractions (e.g., shopping, decorations, holiday music, presents, big extravagant feasts, etc.) it is hard to remember the reasons for the season.

Be good to one another. Love fully. Laugh hard and often. Find gratitude. Enjoy your family and friends, and remember to be thankful for each and every one of them. And know, that no matter what, no matter how hard things may seem at any given moment: life, and everything associated with it, keeps on moving. As should you.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I know mine will be the most significant New Year I've ever had. 2010 and 2011 have probably been the hardest 2 years of my life. But I have a feeling 2012 may just be MY year. ;)

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Defying synicism

I guess it's that time in life - when everyone seems to be getting married and/or having babies: the mid-20's/early 30's. It's hard to think I was already one of "them." But I'm trying my best not to be synical - hoping and wishing that all of my friends that are getting married or just recently got married, will hold true to their vows: "to love and to cherish, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, til death do us part." But unfortunately, I know for a fact not everyone makes it. And what I want people to know is: it's okay. Life, if anything, goes on.

I meant them when I said them - those vows. I don't think anyone that gets married ever thinks it won't work in the end. But that's life. Sometimes you just grow apart, and find that there are more differences between you than can be reconciled. People change and evolve every single day. I guess what's important is to make sure you're always on the same page, and that you're growing together in the same direction. Communication (open and often) and trust are probably what I consider to be the two most important facets of a successful relationship. But you also have to have something solid to build upon, like a strong foundation of friendship. You have to let eachother be their own person, but also recognize that the individual parts make up the whole. Having the ability to compromise is important. And by compromise, I don't mean compromising the core beliefs and values that ultimately direct your moral compass; but, knowing and completely accepting the fact that allowing the other person into your life, completely, will inevitably change some things.

I strongly believe that people need to be on similar levels: emotionally, physically, intellectually, spiritually, mentally... if you're not a match on most of those things - well, time will certainly unveil reality. You should not be blinded by lust, physical attraction, infatuation, etc... there HAS to be something more, something deeper, to fall back on. If not, that type of "love" is just not sustainable in the long-term. And if you don't have ALL of that stuff figured out before you take the plunge... well, I hate to be the one to break it to you... but it probably won't work.

I guess what I'm trying to say, is that when I think of a life-long love, one worthy of the institution of marriage, I guess I agree with the following quote:

"True love is the soul's recognition of its counterpoint in another."

And I still believe in it... completely.

But hey... what does anyone really know about love? It's got to be one of the most ridiculous, crazy, beautiful, maddening, life-altering, indefinable emotions I've ever come across. ;-)

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