Happy 2011

CHEERS TO A NEW YEAR

AND ANOTHER CHANCE FOR ME TO GET IT RIGHT!

I was an optimist who stayed up until midnight to see the new year in!
And a pessimist who stayed up to make sure the

old year left!

I have so much to be thankful for this past year.
But also so much hurt and anxiety that caused me to do some serious soul searching.
We grow and learn and gain new perspective through experience.
I know with a surety that my past perspective/behaviors/griefs/hurt/trials

DO NOT
have to define who I want and choose to be TODAY.

It’s hard for me to say I am thankful for our trials.
But there has been so much growth, love, understanding, forgiveness and peace.

Through very sweet and tender experiences,

I truly know that my Savior is my friend. My brother.
Who knows and loves ME.

He knows my sorrows. My pains.

He truly knows my heart.

And I have felt His love as real as if

He was wrapping his arms around me.

That I wouldn’t have learned or felt any other way.
And for that I am thankful and feel deeply blessed.

I love this feeling of a fresh start. A new day. A new year.

My New Years Wish for 2011 is to never {ever} forget this feeling.
This feeling of wanting to be the best Me that I can be.

& can I say:

It’s [kinda] normal to screw up.

We all do.

It's what you choose to do after is what defines who you are.

He is the way.

Turn to Him and He can absolutely change the desires of your heart.

Wipe the slate clean and pure.

Healing & forgiveness made possible through the sacred Atonement.

There's no promise it will be easy.

Feels like it's guaranteed it will be hard.

Very hard.

With humungous amounts of heartache and regret.

So when you're thinking "this is too much to handle"

Inhale. Exhale. {Repeat}

Pray.

Chill.

Eat some chocolate.

Run.

Hang with your favorite people.

Laugh.

And try again {and again}

Nobody expects perfection.

But it’s what we should always be striving for.

Through the super good moments and the super ugly.

*I can {keep trying to} be happy*