The End of the Beginning

It is New Year's Eve, and I just finished watching the sun disappear slowly into the windmill-dotted hills from my bedroom window. The last specks of glowing orange have now turned into a deep gray, signaling the end of the last day of 2012.

I can't believe how fast this year has flown by. Although nothing too dramatic has happened, it's still been a year full of ups and downs, successes and failures, some large and some small. There's been a whirlwind of new encounters and sad goodbyes, triumphs at work as well as disappointments, instances of blissful happiness but also heartbreaks, loads of laughter and tears. Some of that is even getting carried over inevitably into the new year. Everyone says that the new year is a chance to start over, to forget all the bad things that happened in the past year and to begin creating a new you. That's why we have new year's resolutions. Of course, I've made a few of these as I do every year (we'll see if I can actually stick to them!).

This New Year's Eve, however, things feel a little different. As I look to 2013, there are so many changes that are about to happen, or have already happened, that I almost feel like it's the end of an era. There's definitely going to be a lot of excitement, as well as many obstacles to surmount, as a I continue to work hard to reach my goals and to discover myself. There's going to be a lot of new experiences that will challenge me and help me become a stronger, more mature person. There's going to be more risk-taking, which may lead to larger disappointments than I've ever experienced before, but also the possibility of success sweeter than I've ever tasted before, too. I am not looking to "start over", but rather, to take 2012 along with me and continue to expand my horizons and stretch myself as we ring in the new year.

Whether you are out partying or sitting quietly in front of your computer at home, like me, I hope you have a wonderful night and Happy New Year!