smartmunkey

As I stand on the edge of the rest of my life, I wish I remembered what I was thinking this time last year.

My divorce was in process and I was looking forward to my freedom. I knew I wanted to start all over again, I was excited about that, but I don't think I ever thought about what all that meant. In so many ways, I stumbled through 2007 figuring things out as I went along. And probably for the first time, I look back on 2007 so that I take it with me into 2008.

In 2007, I learned how to dream my own dreams again. Something that still feels so foreign to me after having so many years of chasing others' dreams. But, I am dreaming, and I'm working on dreaming bigger.

Singing, theater, the final phase of my weight loss journey, love, friendships, career, having fun, being open to new experiences... all of these things became a part of my life in the last year either for the first time or in a new way.

I learned that love doesn't have to hurt when you are in it, but saying goodbye to love sure does.
I learned that I have more strength and staying power than even I realized.
I learned that my friendships, no matter duration, gender or intensity, are essential to my existence.
I learned that the phrase "to have loved and lost is better than to never have loved at all" is true.
I learned that taking risks is vital to my happiness no matter how afraid I am of taking them.
I learned the importance of finishing what I've started.
And I learned that, at the end of the day, I'm responsible for my own happiness.

So, as I stand now starting a new year for the first time in my adult life single, I find myself so incredibly grateful. My hands are not empty, they are full and you are part of it. Thank you for holding on with me on the ride of life and for allowing me onto yours.

Here's to taking risks, having adventures and finding fulfillment!

Happy 2008.

Tags: dreaming, happiness, life
Current Mood: thankful