Mood: Thoughtful
The end of a year always generates a look back, to see what I have accomplished in a general sense. For the last three years or so I've made it a point to do so, and while I always know that I have matured a lot in a year's time, it takes me a little while to pinpoint exactly where I HAVE changed.
I usually start making a list of resolutions at the beginning of the year too, but I'm going to try to refrain from attempting too much this year (that is, biting off more than I can chew and then being disappointed/frustrated that I can't fit all that I want to do into my schedule).
So, to begin, a look back over some general accomplishments. These are just as they came to my mind and aren't in any particular order.
~Flew on a plane for the first time
~Got over my fear of riding (or rather, falling off of) Violet
~Bought my first vehicle
~Made it a point to read the Bible every day (and for the most part, except for a couple of stints of laziness, kept this)
~Participated in two plays, which brought about a closer look at my peers in general and lots of thought about culture and the current worldview
~ Started learning guitar and gained some very callused fingertips on my left hand
~ Improved (I certainly hope) in my artwork
~ Had my first real, all-consuming, painful crush (sad, I know, and that’s all I want to say about it)
~ Finished my first semester in college
~ Wrote my second novel (unedited, but still...)
~ Started being a little more outgoing–this was brought about by working at the gym. At first I liked the job, but hated having to interact constantly with complete strangers. The phone was an aggravating point too. But now, after three months of said job it has become much easier to carry on conversations with strangers and I’ve gotten to know some pretty interesting people at the same time. So for being dragged out of my ‘shell’ I am very grateful. (If that last statement seems a bit confusing, I’m much more outgoing and spazzy on the Internet)
Well, you get the idea. Changes, developments, etc in my life are more prevelant than I first figured. And I know that I don't know for certain, but I sometimes wonder if I've been used as an instrument in bringing about positive change in other people. I guess it's not for me to know for certain, but it would be nice to know someday. :D And with tonight being New Year's Eve, I suppose a bit of introspection is allowed.
Speaking of introspection: last night Will and I went to a party of sorts. It was actually a get-together of some of the people who were in Footloose earlier this year, and while at said party I was reminded of something that has been nagging at me for a while. The typical topics for peers in my age group (this can be from 15 to early 20s, I guess) seem very fleeting and insignificant when compared to life in general. I don't know...but the more I associate with these peers the more aware I am of a distinct lack of connection between us--as if I'm trying to aim for higher things while they're satisfied with 'lower' things, for lack of a better analogy. I 'have fun' in the typical sense of the word while around these people, but once away from them I seem to have a significant feeling that there's no comparison and by trying to continue associating with them I'm limiting my own potential.
...does that make sense? I'm kind of in a rambling mood today. I suppose I'll let you people go then--oh, wait. There's no info on the compy as of yet (I'm borrowing my older brother's computer, and he's going back to college tomorrow), so I don't know when I'm going to get back on the computer again. Sorry folks!! :(