If ever there was a time to emphasize how little we know about our future, it is now. We have just 1 day remaining in 2013. There are 364 days of 2013 at our backs. And as I look back, something I try to refrain from doing too often, I see a mass of incredibly momentous occasions, noteworthy accomplishments, wonderful relationships, and an exorbitant amount of smiles. As the hands of time continue to spin round the clock in these final hours of 2013, I can say with resounding affirmation that I had a grand year.
When the sun rose on January 1st, I was in a much different place: dank and squalid. I was miserable. Without, I had an exceedingly difficult 2012 and I was tentative about what a new year would bring. I hadn't been in a place that dark in my life. Waking up to a new year offered a fresh chance for something new, a year in which I finally let go of so much that had held me back in the past. I vividly remember sitting on my couch watching movies on New Years Day, ordering Pizza Hut and making the choice to have a better year ahead. For too long, I had allowed the world to come at me with so much, and I had responded with so little. I had let the world get me down. I had let the world beat me. Because I chose to do nothing. But January 1, 2013 was a fresh and nubile, pliable to my desires. So I consciously chose to see the best in every moment, every person, and every day of the year. I was not going to let outside influences affect my happiness. It was decided: I choose to be happy.
The first few days it took constant reminding. I would pause and tell myself, "Does this really matter?" or "Is it worth ruining my day?" or even "Why should _______ get to control my emotions". And each time the answer came from within. Each time I rose above. Each time I chose to keep smiling. Life will always never be what we expect. It will never make us consistently happy, but we can choose that for ourselves.
Time marched onward. The days got easier and easier in which to see the good. They piled up in fact. Now I sit here thinking back on the days since that important decision and I count 364 good days this year. That's right. 364. The immense feeling of accomplishment and well-being I find in that statement astounds me. I will be OK in this life. I can handle what this world has to throw at me. I will overcome. I will face any challenge with a gusto all my own. Then, when the day fades, and I crawl into bed, I will smile and know that it has been yet another good day.
But that wasn't all that happened this year...
Just 5 fateful days into the year, I first met someone who has proved to forever change me life. Andy Fisher danced up on me at a late holiday party and so it began. Looking back, it seemed to snowball rather rapidly, but we both approached our time together with hesitation due to prior heartbreaks. But the feeling was nearly instantaneous. After that first lunch date, I could barely wait to see him again. In 7 days, we saw each other 5 times. Emotionally we were both guarded but we both felt it. A few weeks later we became official, exclusive. A month beyond that, I couldn't contain my excitement any longer and I proposed. We've experienced many great things in our year together. We visited amazing destinations and even more amazing people. I couldn't imagine a life without him. And I can't wait to see the New Year has in store for us. In mere days, we'll be married and in a few weeks we'll be off to Panama on our honeymoon. Much more greatness awaits.
Psychological, spiritual, and relational change...career change continued as well. This year offered challenges and successes in my career. I moved to a much higher volume store: from Towson Town Center to The Mall in Columbia, as a Visual Manager with American Eagle Outfitters. During my time in Columbia I met some amazing people that I am happy to have as personal friends. Additionally, I learned much about myself and my abilities as a leader. Only a few weeks after transferring, my Store Manager went out on leave. Over the next 4 weeks, I successfully ran the store. I picked up lots of knowledge during that time. That period proved invaluable as I was able to step up to take the reigns of my own store at Marley Station beginning in September. For those of you that have known me for a long time, you know that I've put in countless hours and pushed myself on innumerable occasions to reach this point. My status announcing my promotion was my most liked status of the entire year. That support and love was much appreciated throughout my entire career. There have been a great number of individuals who have molded me to the leader I am today. I am eternally grateful for having worked alongside each and every one of you. Sincere thanks to some of my biggest influencers: Pattie Miller, Cindy Tinley, Cindy Martin, Vivian Illiano, and Sandy McCluskey. You ladies helped get me here. Thank you!
I know many of you have glazed over by this point...So I will begin to tie this up with a neat literary bow. This was a year of change. A year of triumph and success, because I worked hard. A year of love, because I am lucky that an otter swam my way. A year of happiness, because I made a choice.
2014 lies ahead. I'll embrace it, one Good Day at a time.
