Who Am I?

Its now 2013!

A New Year!
I know its about a week too late, and about 2 weeks since ive written anything. But life gets in the way.

But as this year began, i felt like i could breathe a sigh o relief.  That hell of a year was over, and i could finally start somewhere new. And as i was thinking of where i was, to where ive been, to where i am now. I couldn't help wonder who I was, or at least who Ive become. Im so much different than i was.
My views of Marriage are completely different, considering i was almost close to it.
My Family has become such an important part of my life, but in such a different way.
My Friend's have become my life-force, more than ever before.
Im breaking out of what i used to be, and what people know me as. And not everyone is pleased about it.

The thing about figuring out who you want to be, is that not everyone wants you to change. Those that adjust and accept the change, are the ones who truly love you. And don't just love you because of who they think you are. That seems to always be the hard part, learning who will turn their back on you when you make a life decision that they don't agree with.

Its hard to not get bitter at those people. Its hard to remember that they are only doing what they know, and are reacting in the way they have their entire life. It's hard to accept that you, yourself changed. That your not the same person anymore, not who you used to be. So,... this is not a "New Years" post, its just a "My Year" post.

What Ive learned so far:
-Be true to yourself
-Dont beat yourself up for changing.
-Accept who you are, embrace it. Love yourself. Your the one who has to live with you forever.
-Never settle for men who make you step down to get to their level.
-Friends and Jobs will go, but if you have no family that loves and supports you and your decisions, its a hard life.
-Never keep a job that kills your creativity and passion.
-You dont have to love your job, you dont even have to like it. But what you do, make sure it still can make you happy.
- Dont let your failures keep you from fighting for the future.
-Budget. Budget everything. Your time, your money, your shampoo. Because Time is a precious thing we cannot waste.
-To take a moment everyday, and remember why you have the most amazing life. And that you are truly blessed.

Ten things in Ten days. It seems like a lot, but you wouldn't believe that when you start to change, and when you actually stop and think, how much has changed with you.

Who am I?
Well, im learning. And Its one of the most exciting moments. To find that you are starting fresh, clean and new. To taste independence and not drown. To know love, and if not kept too, turns to hate. To meet disappointment and judgement with a smile, because bitterness is hard to forget.

Hope your New Year is YOUR year. Dont even let the fear of striking out, keep you from playing the game. Do what you want, chase your dreams. Buy a plane ticket with tax returns. Go on adventure. Fall in love, and fall in love again. Eat too much, and sleep it off. Laugh more, and greet everyday with a incredible feeling of "What adventure awaits me today?"

Be Kind and Be Yourself,
With Love,
   Sophie