My Year in Review

As the close of the year approaches, I am forced to think back at everything I experienced this year:

• A new job that I really like where I have put on several small events, 3 medium events, 4 large events and 1 Biggie-sized event.
  
• A new nephew that is the most adorable thing out there.
  
• The loss of a dear friend
  
• A new roommate who is beyond great to live with.
  
• Met a man with whom I experienced a great deal of love.
  
• A heartbreak where I experienced a great deal of pain.
  
• A wonderful reunion with many childhood and lifelong friends.


• Celebrating with 5 friends who had their first child, 2 friends who had their second and 3 friends (so far!) who will have their first in 2008.
• Celebrating with 2 friends who got married!
  
• Spent several days with friends from out of town.
  
• Climbed a tree 105 ft up then jumped off a platform onto a trapeze.
  
• Intense jaw pain coupled with migraines for the first time ever. (Had nothing to do with the jump)
• Successfully ended counseling after a long, hard, but very-worth-it process!

This might be the best year of my life so far... not because of any one of these particular circumstances, and maybe that's why it was so great. I learned this year that my circumstances don't define my satisfaction, happiness and contentment in life or myself. It's what I spent so many years searching for and finally realized that being content in who I am is seriously all I need. I am able to experience the fullness of the joy and love that come from circumstances, while also embracing the fullness of pain that comes. The difference is that I am no longer scared of the pain... I don't like the feeling... but I have accepted that this is part of life and it's okay and I'm okay, so why not embrace it? It's strange to still feel content even when circumstances hurt. I think one of the most (maybe, THE most) beautiful things God offers in life is to love others and let them love me through the pain, and rejoice with others and let them rejoice with me through the triumphs - and I got to do a lot of that this year! So, here is to a New Year that is guaranteed to be full of joy and pain... the next step to a beautiful journey!