"My Year"

ABC's Good Morning America just ran a series called "The Year that Changed My Life". I haven't seen the series but it got me thinking, have I had that year? I pondered and pondered and then I freaked the "f" out!

What if my year was:

1. 2005, the the year I broke up with my boyfriend of 2.5 years and basically flooded the Chicago River with tears.
2. 2006, the year my organization exploded from the inside out. I never lost my job but for a while I lost my spirit.
3. 2007, the year I had a third and forth major knee surgery and attended countless hours of physical therapy.
4. 2008, the year that I dated more men than I'd like to admit AND STILL ended up kissing air at a toddler party on NYE.

So yes, Negative Nancy was in full force while commercial footage of the GMA anchors holding babies, winning awards, and getting married appeared on my TV screen (really, do you blame me?). I fearfully shut off the TV, raced to my bedside and prayed to God that "My Year" was still to come. And then...

A few days later I decided I don't want a "My Year". Nope, one year, is not enough! I selfishly want a series of gradual changes. I want the joyful with the sadness, the exhilarating with the boring, the funny with the serious. Most importantly, I want it to be speckled throughout my lifetime like stars in a clear evening sky.

I realize now, the happenings of 2005-2008 weren't bad changes. They were learning experiences that have, for the better, shaped me and made me strong.

Thankfully, out of this "My Year" debocal I've reached one very simple New Years resolution.

Resolution 2009: Find something positive in all situations and be thankful for each and every day that you are living and changing!

Cheers to a Happy New Year!

The NYE 08 party crew! Leroine, Shonya, Liz and I