Free New Year

This past year has surely had it's ups and downs. Overall it definitely wasn't the best year, but it had some really good times. It's alright to have a bit of a downer year, because then you can look forward to a fresh new start of a new year. This year, I'm not making big resolutions. I've never really been good at that. I won't mention the resolutions I made last year...because well...most of them didn't really get done. But It's nice to blog about them in a place where you can look back and easily find them and see your progress. This year, instead of making really specific resolutions I'm going to make some goals...and not really specific goals, just generals ones, that will hopefully benefit this new year, and will hopefully benefit my life.

So, This year I'm going to try new things. I'm going to be open and honest. I'm not really the free spirit type, but I'm going to try and be less rigid and more flexible. I am going to attempt to broaden my horizons, and see what happens. I don't really have much in mind for this right now, other than generally just going with the flow instead of fighting the change. I have a bit of a problem with change. It immediately strikes fear within my heart, so this year, I'm going to remember this, and be more open. Maybe I won't get to the point where I embrace change, but I'm no longer going to resist it. I have found that resisting change doesn't do me any good other than fighting the inevitable, and holding on to something that is no longer there.

                                                                           all via weheartit
I'm really open to trying new things, so please, if you have anything really interesting that you do, any cool hobbies or talents that you put to use, let me know! Also, I've been wanting to broaden my network of people in my life, so please share advice of how you have made new friends since graduating from college. It's hard to meet new people when you're not constantly around a source of new people. It has been hard to stay motivated to try new things and to meet new people since graduating and not being pushed to do things all of the time. I've been thinking about taking some sewing classes or something to get out there and build skills and meet new people. Please though, share your experiences, thoughts, or advice!

I saw this poem a while ago and I loved it so much I printed it out and put it on my fridge. Apparently it is often miss-attributed to Mother Theresa, but is actually authored by Kent Keith. So this poem will be my new mantra for this upcoming year. I'm going to try and check back and make sure that I'm sticking with it, so please check in on me too to help keep me motivated.

Anyway

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;
It was never between you and them anyway.
-Kent Keith