Hey Friends. So I sat back and thought about what I learned from 2013. I ended up coming up with a helluva lot.

2013 was my year of discovery. I continued to carve my path of self-acceptance and made some medical breakthroughs that have forever changed my life. This year I have learned to take each day one day at a time. Each day is precious, and loses its value when you begin to dwell on past mistakes or worry about the potential challenges of the future. It is easier said than done, but I have learned that never giving up on yourself can lead to magnificent things. Even though the road you carve might be bumpy and painful, you are still going faster than those who just sit there and never even try. Your path you carve will not be in the exact direction of your friends and family, but close friends and family members have taught me that it is okay to go in my own direction. Everyone has their own journey, but it is important to remember that every single person that you come into contact with has their own struggles. Nobody has the perfect life or situation, even though it may seem that way. Some struggles are obvious to the whole world, and some struggles are invisible to the outside world. Sometimes it feels like the bumpy road on your path seems like it will never end, and I have learned that I have control over how it affects me.

I have learned from wise souls that I can grieve the life circumstances, while still holding my head high and working towards my goals. I started to teach myself that I am still amazing, despite ongoing health problems. I have started to understand the fact that a person can be more than their diagnosis, and that I can make plans for the future, despite the uncertainty of my medical problems. I am living for me, and not for a diagnosis. Issues will arise, but I can’t let them take over my entire life. I will have bad days, but I remind myself that it is one day out of my entire life. At the beginning of 2013 I just knew it was going to be a good year. I don’t know how, but I felt it in my bones. I was right though. I knew that some changes were going to happen, and my mom’s sighting of a little owl at a bird sanctuary confirmed it. (If you don’t know this already, I am a superstitious and symbolic kind of person. I also love Owls).
I continued to look for the signs, and they kept coming. I was able to go back to school, and even though it was far from easy, I made it there. After these past few months, I have really began to understand what it means to be grateful, and I have a deep gratitude for my friends and family, who have never once complained about helping me or being a support. In addition to self-acceptance, gratitude is another value that I have really begun to understand. Even though this path has been a challenge, I am grateful because it has taught me what it means to have gratitude. This has taught me to enjoy life even more, even on the days where I was down and out.

So thank you, 2013. This past year has been amazing and I wouldn’t change a single thing. I was right about it being amazing, and I know 2014 will be even more fabulous. Love you all and I’m wishing each and every one of you a happy new year! xox