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"In onself lies the whole world and if you know how to look and learn, the door is there and the key is in your hand. Nobody on earth can give you either the key or the door to open, except yourself" -- Jiddu Krishnamurti

I love Christmas, but boy am I glad it’s all over and a brand new year is approaching. There’s nothing quite as mysterious and exciting as a fresh start, a white blank page, a blanket of freshly fallen snow, a new year full of possibilities.

2010 was named my year of TRUST. Funny how I had to learn to trust  in every aspect of my life and rely on nothing but God’s promises (hello, Romans 8:28!) again and again and again. Looking back and reading some old journal entries, I can honestly say that in 2010 I learned so much and grew immeasurably. Some of the lessons I learned were pretty painful, and if it hadn’t been for the grace of God, good friends, and supportive parents, it might have felt a bit like Boot Camp.

A pessimist might say that this past year, I experienced many setbacks and hit a lot of brick walls and am further from my goals than I was at the close of 2009. Which, in a lot of ways, is sort of true. But at the same time, if God offered me everything I wanted on a silver platter immediately when asked, I would learn nothing. I would take everything He has given me for granted and I wouldn’t appreciate hard work and patience–both of which contribute to good character. I’d have a nasty little entitlement complex and would stamp my feet when I didn’t get what I wanted instead of realizing that His timing is perfect and His plans are good (hello, Jeremiah 29:11!)

I made a lot of progress this year in terms of thinking positively and remaining hopeful and optimistic, no matter what the circumstances. Hard bloody work, let me tell you! Keeping in that habit as I look back at 2010, I can see that while I may not have achieved that much success by society’s standards, God was everywhere weaving the beautiful tapestry of my life together in subtle and unexpected ways.

"One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar" -- Helen Keller

I have heard a lot of people say that they’re expecting 2011 to be a great year and I’m choosing to believe this too. I’ve decided to name 2011 as the year of REINVENTION. A scary concept, but an exciting one. I love the idea that I can constantly reinvent myself and still be me. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; the old has gone, the new is here!” (hello, 2 Corinthians 5:17). I’d like to start the year off by getting a tattoo of a butterfly (if I finally summon the courage!) to remind me of this, because butterflies have always symbolized transformation and reinvention to me which is why I love them so much.

And what would a new year be without some resolutions, goals, plans, and dreams? I’ve made some realistic ones this year (mainly because last year’s were too ambitious–did I really think I could just learn German without at least planning a trip to Germany to use it? Or ASL without knowing any deaf people?), and I’m confident I’ll be able to keep plugging away at these resolutions this year without getting discouraged or burning out.

Here are just a few:

• Stay healthy! – I made a lot of progress in this area, especially in the last few months and I’m kind of proud of myself! I gave up caffeine (for the most part–I work at a coffee shop dontcha know!) and sugar, with the exception of occasional dark chocolate (I’m still a girl). I even made it through the holidays without overdosing on sugar and sweets, only indulging in a delicious crepe on Christmas Eve. Because I’m already on the right track, I’m not hating my body and feeling gross at the end of December and then punishing my body come January; I can just keep doing what I’ve been doing! And because I eat very healthy, get lots of rest, exercise every day and have a superstar immune system, I’ve managed bypass whatever sickness has infected my workplace and most of my friends. Sorry to gloat, but being healthy makes me happy!
• Oh, the places you’ll go … – Oh yes, this year I plan to travel, so help me God. There’s a big world out there and it needs exploring and adventuring. I’m young and unattached right now, so when will I get the opportunity to travel again? There is a summer trip in the works (I hope, I hope, I hope!) and of course, there are some places of my dreams. And a sister who just moved somewhere cool. Thinking of traveling makes me way too excited!
• Unleash the creativity – I’ve decided to give my Inner Critic a one-way ticket to the Bahamas on an all-expenses paid trip. I’ve got a lot of words and ideas inside of me, and I’ll be darned if I don’t get them out! My portfolio needs bulking and my stories need to be told. For real, this time. I hope to meet with my wicked-awesome Writing Circle a heck of a lot more this year and make writing more of a discipline instead of whenever the inspiration just so happens to strike. I’d like to get connected with more writers/forums/writing “communities” (oxymoron?), so if you know of any–either in the real world or the cyber world–please let me know!
• Sisters from other misters – Continue building more meaningful relationships and cultivate the beautiful friendships I already have in my life. Get to know more people. Strike up conversation like I didn’t have a shy bone in my body. Say “yes” to more social engagements. I suppose if my early twenties were about learning how to Be Alone and be comfortable with it, my mid-twenties shall be about Being Social. I can be quite the social butterfly when I want to be, so long as there’s a bed I can crawl into at the end of the night and recharge my batteries. I’m okay with this.
• The power of positive thinking – Continue practicing positive thinking and choosing happiness. Hold every thought captive before it causes internal damage. Use my defenses with scripture, prayer, self-care, and recognizing my areas of weakness. Make sure I’m eating enough and well, getting enough sleep, having enough Alone Time and Social Time, and having a creative outlet.

I resolve that I will try my best in all of these things and not get too upset if things don’t go exactly as planned. But I’m going to go for it because I’m young and free so why not?

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