2012 brought me lots of ups and downs.
It brought me my first date, and many more after that. It brought me laughter and inside jokes and awkward moments that I'm sure will make for good stories in the future.
It brought me my license and a car, and therefore much more freedom than I had ever previously experienced.
In 2012 I learned how to play the guitar and I faced one of my biggest fears- singing in public (and not just any singing, but 4 solos thank-you-very-much. my guitar teacher was crazy).
This year brought me notebooks full of my terrible half cursive/half little-boy-esque handwriting and a new found love for writing.
In 2012 I embraced new experiences; joined clubs, served in my community, and became laurel class president.
2012 brought travel- Amsterdam, Utrecht, Berlin, Disney World, Arizona, & the longest road trip of my life.
It also brought the death of my grandpa, someone who I have always loved and admired.
In 2012 I cried in
a movie for the first time ever, and then it
happened again. (this time in public. so embarrassing.)
This year I embraced my wild and messy hair, colored in my eyebrows, and became a red lipstick addict.
2012 brought me light and knowledge. It brought answered prayers and a stronger testimony in my Heavenly Father.
It brought a
huge announcement that changed my life. I started teaching with the missionaries and realized that I have a bright and important future in front of me.
At the begining of 2012 I wrote down a quote in my journal that I had come across. I decided to make it my motto for that year. I think it'll be my motto for this year, too. It went like this:
“Promise Yourself
To be so strong that nothing
can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity
to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel
that there is something in them
To look at the sunny side of everything
and make your optimism come true.
To think only the best, to work only for the best,
and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others
as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past
and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times
and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself
that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,
and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world,
not in loud words but great deeds.
To live in faith that the whole world is on your side
so long as you are true to the best that is in you.”
Here's to 2013. Let's rock it.
