She believed she could. So she did.

    I am a woman of determination. Like my mother has said, "You have become a woman that when someone tells you that you can't do something or you get tired of waiting--you will do whatever it takes to get it done." And that was my attitude for this past year.

    2013 was a huge turning point for me. 2012 was not my year. It was a year of lows, personally. So, I was determined to make 2013 my year. With my friends and family rallying behind me, picking up pieces of the chaotic hot mess that I was--I knew  I needed to set goals. Every time there is a special occasion, my friends and I have a special moment of "cheers and toasting!" On my birthday, with three of my best friends by my side and their husbands, we celebrated the night with wine and a ridiculous game of Partini (if you've never heard of it- it's a stupid game that we somehow turned it into 3 hours of entertainment). We toasted to 2013 being my year.  The few days afterwards, I was browsing Pinterest and found this quote/verse.

 

   It's amazing how God can use Pinterest to speak to you! Has anyone else ever had that happened to them? Anyways, I kept rereading this scripture over and over. As I prayed in my quiet time that day, I had a peace that came over me. A peace that whispered in my ear, "Wait. God has great promises for you this year." So, that's exactly what I did. Philippians 3:13: I am not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. And that's exactly what I did. I looked ahead to 2013 and fully embraced what God had promised to me for this year. I have to say, I am sad to see 2013 come to an end. It was a year of new beginnings, new adventures, and a new attitude. So what happened over the past year? Well, let's just take a trip down memory lane and see what exactly I learned from this year.

 

1. Sometimes you have to just let people leave your life. If they walk out on you, then your destiny is not tied to them. It's hard to see someone you love choose a lifestyle that you will never understand. But, you have just have to trust and let go.
2. My brother is more entertaining sober. I have laughed more in the past year with him than I have in years. What was once a broken relationship, God has restored. But let's not dwell on the fact that I'm almost 30 and he's almost 40 and we're roommates.
3. Be bold and speak up. This has come more truer this past year than ever. I typically keep thoughts and feelings internalized. However, past situations and relationships has forced me to stand my ground and put myself first. If anything, sometimes I now need to be less vocal (filter!) and keep my mouth closed--especially at work.
4. I have come to love teaching--again. I lost my passion last school year, and I hated feeling that way. Bogged down by the political aspects of education and not being extremely happy in my work environment--I wanted a change. Thankfully, God blessed me with a great coworker across the hall, and a fabulous start to a new school year. I still have my moments, but it's nothing that a little Mexican can't fix and an afternoon in the Rocking Thinking Chair.
5. Bettering the butt! That has been my motto. When I was at my low at the end of 2012, my dear friend Robin forced me to start running to keep my mind moving and focus on the pain of the hills at Dorman. Then, came Barre class. Or as my brother calls it--getting up on the pole class. Robin started going to classes at Studio B and invited me to go. I was kind of skeptical. Then sweet Nancy bought my first month free. So, I had to go. After my first class, I was hooked. Studio B has become another place where I channel my stress and frustrations--all while bettering my butt! It has become a win-win situation. Thanks to Brooke for being the encourager; Allison for yelling at me to squat and squeeze another inch lower when she's secretly mad at herself for her "bad eating"; and to Sweet Mary for telling me that I deserve an hour to smile, work at my personal best all while learning some sweet tribal dance moves.
6. Always seize an opportunity to see old friends. I honestly have never realized how much I missed my old friends until I started making random trips across the state to see them. If anything, I need to see the more--they do my soul good. Plus, it's always a good excuse to get away from the madness every now and then.
7. Be you. When I started dating, I had this preconceived notion of a certain girl I should be. And honestly, I forgot who I was in the whole process. Each guy I dated, I tried to make myself be the girl that he would like. Epic failure. Wait for the person who you can be your complete self around. It is worth it.
8. God brings people into your life at the perfect moment. I guess it goes back to my verse: waiting patiently for God's promises.
9. When you pray for God to close a door or leave it open--don't be shocked when he actually slams it shut. But be on guard for what may come next. Be open to possibilities and give people a chance to prove you wrong.
10. Guard your heart. Be careful with who you share with and who you become "intimate" with on a daily basis. And I don't mean sexually. Your deepest thoughts and words when spoken to someone cannot be taken back.
11. When your friends offer advice, they are only looking out for your best interest. Be open to listen but in the end-- you decide what makes you happy.
12. Talk it out. Communicate. It hurts to know that a broken relationship could have been restored or saved if we did just a little bit more communicating and tried to understand one another. Sometimes it's a little too late but you never know what the future could bring.
13. Forgiveness. It can change your attitude and your lifestyle. What is so beautiful about forgiveness is that it happens when you least expect it. I had to forgive some pretty important people and move past some situations in my life this year. And it's incredible how God prepared my heart for these opportunities of forgiveness. If He hadn't prepared my heart, I would still be harboring bitterness, hate, and loneliness.
14. Laugh. God has put me in some pretty crazy situations that all you can do is laugh. I have learned to laugh at my self, my mistakes, and my triumphs.
15. Don't compare yourself to others. Focus on your positives and move from there. When you focus on your weakness, it can rob you of joy. Only focus on your weakness when you are determined to change that weakness for the best.
16.  Be ready for opportunities that come a-knocking! But also remember that every opportunity that is presented to you is not one that you should take. Pray for discernment. Ask for wisdom to be spoken to you. Then, be bold and act.
17. Fight for what you want.
18. While your friends are moving ahead in their own personal life, be happy for them. Know that while "nothing happening" everyday may seem to be your motto (cKb!) of life, your friends need you just as much as you need them. Be glad that they want to share their happiest moments with you.

    I tried to come up with two more to make it to twenty, and my mind is done for the night. It's a lot to reflect on the past year. But I think coming up with 18 lessons learned is pretty good. Even if you learned one lesson from 2013, that was worth the whole year. What's to come in 2014? New goals. New determination. New opportunities that I am super excited about.

 

   2013. I waited patiently. I endured trials. I endured promises. I can honestly say that I received God's promises this year. I just wonder, what are God's promises for next year? I can hardly wait.