Things I've Learned in 2009

"So, here I am, starting out 2009 worse than 2008, but praying that it ends on a better note." - A blog from the beginning of 2009

Writing one of these has sort of become a tradition for me as the year draws to a close, so here we go.

1. I have learned that I am me. I don't have to be like everyone else. I don't have to do the things everyone else does to be experiencing life to the fullest; I experience life in my own unique way.
2. I have learned that as I was growing up, my fear of getting in trouble and having people disappointed in me was what kept me from doing anything wrong. Now, I am thankful for that because my reputation as a good person is one of the most important things to me.
3. I have learned that I will meet the people I am supposed to meet. There's no need for me to force my presence upon people. Things will happen how they're supposed to.
4. I have learned that the best kind of friends are the ones who believe in the beauty of your dreams and make them seem possible.
5. I have learned that there does, indeed, come a point where you must leave childish things behind. However, that doesn't have to happen all at once, and it's important to always remember how to be a child.
6. I have learned to believe in and respect myself because if I don't, no one else will.
7. I have learned that I can be just fine on my own.
8. I have learned how to be strong for myself. Throughout my life, I have known how to be strong for other people, but this year I have learned that sometimes I have to be my own strength.
9. I have learned that I don't need a boy to love me to feel valued. There are more important things to set store by.
10. I have learned to deal with change. I have not learned to adjust easily to change, but I have learned that it is an inevitable part of life especially when it comes to the stage of life I am in now. Change, though scary, can also be exciting. Without change, there can be no growth.
11. I have learned that I cannot control everything and that there are things I have no control over that I shouldn't worry about.
12. I have learned that there are more important things to base your life around than a religion.
13. I have learned that not every thing in life has a definite right or wrong answer.
14. I have learned that college isn't scary and that I can excel at it.
15. I have learned that knowing that love really exists is more important than wanting someone to love you.
16. I have learned that the truth is almost always preferable to hiding your true feelings and usually most people can, in fact, handle the truth.
17. I have learned that I prefer having good times with friends without having to deal with their drama.
18. I have learned that I have to stand up to myself.
19. I have learned to be content and for that to be enough. Back and forth extreme emotions aren't a necessity to living a vivid life.
20. I have learned that I am astonishing. I have a beautiful soul, big dreams, and so much love to give.

2009 definitely ended on a better note than it began on. This time next year, I'll be preparing to leave for Ireland for five months, and I can't wait to learn and grow even more.

"Here I go, and there's no turning back. My great adventure has begun. I may be small, but I've got giant plans to shine as brightly as the sun. I will blaze until I find my time and place. I will be fearless, surrendering modesty and grace. I will not disappear without a trace. I'll shout and start a riot, be anything but quiet. I'll be astonishing, astonishing, astonishing at last!" - "Astonishing" from Little Women