End of the Year Perspective

I have been wanting to update this blog for awhile, but I have honestly been hard pressed to find the time to just sit down and reflect on any one topic. Right now, however, seems like an ideal time. I just woke up from an unexpected, but much needed nap and have some time to myself.

Before I wrote this I wanted to go back and read the entry that I wrote around the same time last year. I've always felt that it was important to take note of of where you've come from in order to continue moving forward. That is one of the beauties of this blog. I can look back at how I was thinking at the same point last year and see the change in myself.

This time last year I was very bothered by the events of 2009 and searching for something positive to take solace in at the end of the day. In a year marred by unfortunate events, troubled relationships, and tough times, I was struggling to find something to remain positive about in my life. This year, however, is different for two reasons. First of all, I have more things to be positive for right now. This year has brought a lot of change into my life and these changes have allowed me to take major strides for what I want to do in the future. Granted, I'm not where I want to be yet, but all good things worth achieving take time and strong effort. I'll get there because I want it enough.

Secondly, and most important, my whole outlook is different than it was a year ago. Last year I was focused on all the situations and events that went wrong instead of focusing on what is important: being alive. Too often, we all get caught up in the frustrating times that life throws at us. We become engaged in trivial fights that over the course of a lifetime are meaningless. We allow ourselves to become enwrapped in negative emotions and feelings that at the time are our whole world, but in the grand scheme of things are nothing more than a blip on the radar. I've learned this year that it is important and imperative to focus on all the positive things in my life. My family, my friends, and learning a thing or two from every situation that comes my way regardless of outcome.

I'm sure I'll still grow frustrated by situations that arise day by day such as a seemingly interminable day at the office, financial concerns, or not getting the girl of my dreams. All of those issues will come and go. At the end of the day, I'm still alive and still have so many things to be thankful for in my life. As long as I can maintain that perspective and take comfort in all the things I have around me, then every year from here on out will be a good year through and through.