New Year Outlook
So here it is, January 1st, 2013. A new year, a new chance to reflect back on the past, on accomplishments and regrets, on love and life, and on what's still to come. For me, it's been overall a pretty darn good year; there were some accomplishments that were unexpected and warmly welcomed, as well as a few personal regrets that I have in turn learned lessons from. I believe that some of the most important accomplishments from the year are not those that can be held, not those that can be proven with paperwork or pictures, or circled on the calendar, but those that are about the personal growth that I feel I was able to recognize in myself and even admire. I have watched myself grow, I have watched myself set and reach my own goals, and I have watched how differently I may now handle certain situations and opportunities.
I believe that a large part of my new and improved outlook on life and on myself came from my practice of yoga, which I am obsessed with and grateful for. Yoga allows me to focus on me, to take time, even just a little bit of it, and to improve the health of my mind and my body. I have always been quite spiritual, so the opportunity to combine that with the health benefits of yoga has improved my overall well being. Where I often felt anxious, I now practice strategies to calm myself down and feel at peace instead. I have been able to introduce and share yoga with friends, too. Sharing this peace of mind, adding another commonality between friends, is something else that has brought me joy this year.
I was inspired this summer by author Gretchen Rubin to create my own Ten Commandments- a list of life habits I wish to recognize and work towards improving. It was not just a list of things I wanted to simply change about myself, but I wanted to look deeper; I wanted to be able to notice where and how I could improve my attitude or behavior, as well as follow through and implement those changes. I do feel as though it has been so far a successful feat for me. The commandments I created were:
1. Think before you speak
2. Practice patience
3. Breathe deeply
4. "This too shall pass"
5. Count your blessings
6. The world is not out to get me
7. Learn how to trust and overcome
8. Learn to compromise and be flexible
9. Find the positive in every situation
10. Be proud to be me.
There have been countless situations where I was able to stop, remind myself of one of my commandments, and then react or think differently than I would have originally. To me, that's growing up. That's noticing where a mature change can be made and accepting the better option. The ability to do that has made me proud.
In my life, one of the most important aspects and where I find true happiness is within my friends and the relationships that I share with them. I am blessed with and obsessed with my best friends. Each and every one of my friends has qualities that I admire. I am proud of my friends, I brag about my friends, and I love my friends more and more as the years go on and the memories we share become cherished. We are by each other's sides through it all: new jobs, new relationships, moving away, engagements, and everything in between. I try to be the glue that holds us all together, though each of us has some kind of adhesive desire to always remain together, no matter how far away. The past year has brought about blossomed and rekindled friendships, learning and support, celebrations, travels, and always picking up right where we left off. The past year with my wonderful boyfriend has been similar. A true source of my happiness and laughter, there were undoubtedly ups and downs but also lessons and ever growing love. We have been able to grow together, to support and inspire each other, to continuously learn about each other, and to love each other more and more. May the coming year only enhance this love and these relationships with my closest friends.
One of my biggest accomplishments of 2012 was in fact one that can be proven with paperwork, circled on the calendar, and accompanied with also being one of my biggest challenges. I started a new job as a head classroom teacher in Hartford, where my dream of becoming a high school English teacher came true. It has only been a few weeks, but already it's been a whirlwind. I am so grateful for this opportunity and my faith has been restored, my hard work and dedication has paid off, and I believe that everything happens for a reason. I am still adjusting to this new lifestyle, and I recognize that I will most likely be adjusting until June. Regardless, for me, it was a good year. Simple as that.
As 2013 kicks off I wish to continue my routines, relationships, and daily rituals in a healthy manner. I hope to learn from the hard times and marvel in the good times. I expect to meet new people and strengthen the current relationships in my life. I promise to take time for myself but to keep my friends and family as my top priority. I plan to practice random acts of kindness, acknowledge my blessings and treasures, and always keep an attitude of gratitude. In 2013, I vow to keep on keeping on.
I believe that a large part of my new and improved outlook on life and on myself came from my practice of yoga, which I am obsessed with and grateful for. Yoga allows me to focus on me, to take time, even just a little bit of it, and to improve the health of my mind and my body. I have always been quite spiritual, so the opportunity to combine that with the health benefits of yoga has improved my overall well being. Where I often felt anxious, I now practice strategies to calm myself down and feel at peace instead. I have been able to introduce and share yoga with friends, too. Sharing this peace of mind, adding another commonality between friends, is something else that has brought me joy this year.
I was inspired this summer by author Gretchen Rubin to create my own Ten Commandments- a list of life habits I wish to recognize and work towards improving. It was not just a list of things I wanted to simply change about myself, but I wanted to look deeper; I wanted to be able to notice where and how I could improve my attitude or behavior, as well as follow through and implement those changes. I do feel as though it has been so far a successful feat for me. The commandments I created were:
1. Think before you speak
2. Practice patience
3. Breathe deeply
4. "This too shall pass"
5. Count your blessings
6. The world is not out to get me
7. Learn how to trust and overcome
8. Learn to compromise and be flexible
9. Find the positive in every situation
10. Be proud to be me.
There have been countless situations where I was able to stop, remind myself of one of my commandments, and then react or think differently than I would have originally. To me, that's growing up. That's noticing where a mature change can be made and accepting the better option. The ability to do that has made me proud.
In my life, one of the most important aspects and where I find true happiness is within my friends and the relationships that I share with them. I am blessed with and obsessed with my best friends. Each and every one of my friends has qualities that I admire. I am proud of my friends, I brag about my friends, and I love my friends more and more as the years go on and the memories we share become cherished. We are by each other's sides through it all: new jobs, new relationships, moving away, engagements, and everything in between. I try to be the glue that holds us all together, though each of us has some kind of adhesive desire to always remain together, no matter how far away. The past year has brought about blossomed and rekindled friendships, learning and support, celebrations, travels, and always picking up right where we left off. The past year with my wonderful boyfriend has been similar. A true source of my happiness and laughter, there were undoubtedly ups and downs but also lessons and ever growing love. We have been able to grow together, to support and inspire each other, to continuously learn about each other, and to love each other more and more. May the coming year only enhance this love and these relationships with my closest friends.
One of my biggest accomplishments of 2012 was in fact one that can be proven with paperwork, circled on the calendar, and accompanied with also being one of my biggest challenges. I started a new job as a head classroom teacher in Hartford, where my dream of becoming a high school English teacher came true. It has only been a few weeks, but already it's been a whirlwind. I am so grateful for this opportunity and my faith has been restored, my hard work and dedication has paid off, and I believe that everything happens for a reason. I am still adjusting to this new lifestyle, and I recognize that I will most likely be adjusting until June. Regardless, for me, it was a good year. Simple as that.
As 2013 kicks off I wish to continue my routines, relationships, and daily rituals in a healthy manner. I hope to learn from the hard times and marvel in the good times. I expect to meet new people and strengthen the current relationships in my life. I promise to take time for myself but to keep my friends and family as my top priority. I plan to practice random acts of kindness, acknowledge my blessings and treasures, and always keep an attitude of gratitude. In 2013, I vow to keep on keeping on.
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