It's been a good long while since I sat down long enough to put some thoughts together and type them up. And to be fair to myself (something I am not usually), I have been quite busy and it's been a whirlwind of a year.
1 Published Paper - you can find it here!
2 Concerts
3 Contracts (started and/or ended)
4 Trans-continental Flights
5 Life Goals Accomplished
6 Months in Gambia
7 Weeks in Tanzania (so far)
8 New Recipes Learned (I can't say mastered yet)
9 Harry Potter Marathons
10 Days in Transit 11 Cities 12 Weeks in Canada
Countless new and strengthened friendships. Adventures I had been dreaming about. Another chapter in my lifetime of memories.
This past year holds some of the most beautiful and some of the most painful moments of my life. So far. I've come a long way. I've grown, lost, loved, and cried in some of the most wonderful and harrowing ways. But, when it's all said and done - I am working on being grateful for every moment of it. I grew a spine, learned to say no, started to love myself with all the flaws that glare back at me in the mirror, and developed skills personally and professionally that I know will help me moving forward. I've started to be gentle with myself when I feel like I am not moving fast enough, and through all the trying times I am learning to be patient, which if you know me, you know is one of my biggest weaknesses.
I don't believe that everything happens for a reason, or that there is plan out there for us - what I do believe is that we can decide if we want to learn and grow from each experience we have. Something I have had to come to terms with rather quickly.
I don't want anything I've lived through in 2019 (or before) to slow me down or be barrier - and I am turning each painful moment into something good and positive. The stories of pain and trauma we come across cannot be changed but they can be turned into driving forces for something better for others and for ourselves.
Cheers to a brighter and more love filled 2020, I wish you all well.
