It's that time of year. The time of year that this little blog o' mine all began. I almost always find myself a little bummed out year after year at this time, and looking expectantly and hopefully towards the future to bring happiness. This year was a first that I had a most excellent New Year's eve and New Year's day. Well, a first since I was like what, 12? When me and my friend Amanda ran around like crazy people in her yard screaming our lungs out and silly stringing each other because the world hadn't ended with Y2K. I finally broke the curse of the terrible New Year's eves. First I went with my parents to the temple in Washington D.C. to support my friend Ian in a big step in his life. A bunch of us ate at Olive Garden afterward. Later, the ysa had "the dance of the century" that 125ish people went to. I stayed for about an hour and then went with a few friends to the square in Hershey to hear We the Kings play and watch the Hershey Kiss go up (I'm still trying to figure out if that's how Hershey does it or if it was an accident) to ring in the new year. I then went home and slept til 11AM, went to church at Hershey ward cuz they start at 1PM (and it was a really great meeting and I'm SO glad I went), and spent the afternoon chillin at the Allen's with Shannon, playing the game loaded questions and laughing til I cried and my stomach hurt. (Me: "what one thing would you hate to see charging at you in the middle of an open field? Amanda, instantly with no hesitation: "Josh." hahaha) I love my friends.
Today's a different story. I kind of hate today. But that happens.
2011 brought a lot of greatness. New people, who have become my closest friends and I couldn't imagine life without them. Great memories with them. I learned what it means to really love in 2011. I learned to get over myself and see good in people and love them for who they really are. I learned/practiced humility, patience, temperance. I've begun to learn to let go of my irrational fears and constant worrying. It still comes back sometimes, so I won't say I've completely overcome it. I gained a new brighter and happier perspective to life, and I owe that to my friends. One of them in particular. I wish that one understood how much that meant to me. Maybe it's not too late. Maybe one day.
And so here's what I'm working towards for 2012.
1. Be happy.
Here and now and not in some distant future. Search for it, find it. Make it happen.
2. Find the silver lining in every cloud.
Or at least, recognize and understand that there is one, even if I can't see it yet.
3. Don't worry.
Why worry? Things always work out for the best, the way they were meant to, and I'm always happier because of it. Trust and have a little faith.
4. Go to these grad interviews (I have one in a week, eek. that rhymed), get accepted, pick the right one for me, move out to somewhere closer to that school, continue my education, and work hard.
5. Put in my papers for a part-time mission.
I'm pretty pumped about this.
6. Love truly and be kind.
Even when they're not nice back. Even when they're selfish and self-centered. Even if you think they don't deserve it. Even if they don't understand it and mistake it for something else. Be an example and one day they will understand. Even when they or others give you grief or tell you it's about time you stopped. Even when they're really hard to love, or it's really difficult to do it. That's when they need kindness the most.
7. Have fun.
Friends, family and everything that really matters.
That about sums it all up. It's gonna be good. ("Indoor plumbing...it's gonna be big!" HA just thought of that.)
And guys (not men but as in "hey you guys!") just remember that all good things take effort and time. Life won't always be perfect and things won't be easy, otherwise we wouldn't know how to enjoy the good things and happy moments when they come into our lives. Relationships with our friends family and the people we love won't always be an easy cheesy walk in the park either. Otherwise we wouldn't know how to appreciate each other. As long as we have true love and forgiveness in our hearts, it will turn out beautifully. I know it.
