Thrive

2014 was a year full of first-times, random victories, and a few interesting experiences, to say the least:

• If you consider Fremont to be a part of the South Bay (which I do), then I have now lived on every side of the Bay Area.
• I learned how to pick/drop people off at the airport.
• I broke my record for total number of flights taken in a year.
• I became a US citizen.
• I attended a wedding for the first time.
• I learned that hanging out with complete strangers can sometimes be fun.
• I began to like programming, which was almost unthinkable a year ago.

Even more, this year I learned to survive by myself. Not in the physical sense, as I've been earning my own food and shelter for some time now, but more so mentally. In many ways, this was the first time I was completely on my own, and I learned how to be happy alone. It was a year of minimal action and more inward reflection. For the first time, I began to really understand myself and even more, to accept both my strengths and weaknesses. I began to understand my potential and what I am truly capable of, and just as importantly, what my limits are.

In 2015, I hope to move from surviving to thriving. I will strive to take what I've learned about myself, build upon it, and let it shine and radiate for the world to see. I will strive to proactively take charge of my weaknesses, even if it means taking risks and stepping out of my comfort zone. I will strive to live life not just happily or contently, but with passion and ambition. If surviving is doing the minimum it takes to make sure my branches are intact and leaves stay green, then thriving is to grow bigger and stronger, to flourish and to blossom.

Here's to a great 2015!