A New Beginning - 2012

It's Friday, I have tons of work to do but don't have the motivation to get anything done.  Figured I could do something more productive with my time - write a new blog post! :)  I started on this post back in January so I'll try to get it done today...

As 2011 came to a close, I reflected on the joys and pains of the year. I managed to maintain a stable job, met some incredible people, lost a few friends while gaining new ones, strengthened some friendships, experienced heartbreak, left the nest (for the 2nd time), reconnected w/ family, met new family, and had my faith tested. The road will never be easy but the journey is what molds us into who we are.  The positive will always outweigh the negative but the negative sure does leave the most lasting impression. I lost a few friends, but that’s life. The loss of a friend or multiple friends has never affected me much. Some friendships aren’t meant to last forever – I accepted that at a young age. It is said that friends will either be in your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. If a friend exits, they’ve served their purpose.

On a more personal level, I had my heartbroken not once but twice. I’m still trying to figure out which heartbreak was worse! My “faux relationship” lasted a year and a half before coming to an end. I was never truly happy. Constantly wondering why we were still “just friends” and if we would ever be more. All of the worrying ceased when I learned I was the other chick. How he was able to keep up the charade for so long is amazing to me. When has lying ever been a better option than telling the truth? After suffering through that loss early in the year I moved on to someone new. In hindsight I realized we moved way too fast.  I needed someone to get my mind off of the heartache and this person came into my life at the right time.  It was one of those whirlwind romances with great highs and a few not so good lows but I enjoyed it.  I was sick to my stomach when that came to an end.  I cannot tell a lie feelings still exist... we'll see what happens.  Surprisingly, I still speak to both of them - it's the Pisces in me.

On a positive note, some great people have entered my life - new friends and family - which I'm truly grateful for.  I reconnected with many family members that I'd lost touch with over the years.  Last summer, I took a trip to Iowa for a great aunt's bday celebration and met a slew of family I never knew existed.  It was awesome!!  Looking forward to the Jackson/Winfrey Family Reunion this summer.  Tragedy and new opportunities have allowed me to reconnect with some friends and grow closer to others.  I look forward to deeper connections with family and continued growth in friendships in 2012.

I can only pray that God will open so many more doors for me in 2012 - spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.  I've always believed that God has a plan laid out for us and we're given the free will to make decisions that will either keep us on that path or lead us away from it.  The obstacles/struggles are tests of our faith in His will.  Some people fulfill their destiny quicker than others but as I said before, the journey is what shapes who we are and what we will become.  Struggle builds character.