Resolution

Wow. It's the end of the year.

This year has been one giant learning experience for myself. So many experiences that I will never forget, and this experience is coming to a conclusion tonight. It's time for change to work its magic once again, and bring in a new experience for us to live through once again. It's why we make new years resolutions, right? To change what we have learned within the year. That's the whole meaning of resolution. A conclusion. Resolving a conflict that we all have struggled with this whole year. 2011 has taught me many lessons, but yet there were a few instances I remember specifically this year that I would like to thank a few certain people for. These instances, I feel, really changed my life.

I'll try to keep it brief. That won't happen, though.

I learned this year that with tragedy always comes triumph. Heartbreak is an inevitable force of nature, and I learned this first hand from someone this year. This, possibly, was the hardest lesson to learn. During this time, I was in a pretty dark place. I thought there was no hope, really. But as I mentioned, with tragedy comes triumph. Through my disaster, I merely became stronger. Through the hurt and the pain, I sculpted a new me. Someone who was not hindered from tragedy, but rather elated into a new person. You probably know who you are. If you're reading this, thank you so much.

I learned this year that without true friends, there is no will to pursue life. Two people in particular I can thank for that this past year. I have learned to never give up because of these people, through the best of times and through the worst of times, they were here to pick me up and remind me how much I really do have. Many of my memories were crafted with my closest friends, and as I look back on this year, I don't know how I could have overcame any of the hardships I faced. You probably know who you are. If you're reading this, thank you so much.

I learned this year that life is only what you make of it, and I have one person to thank for that. The amount of knowledge I learned in a couple of hours, in what might have been one of the most heartfelt car rides I have ever experienced in my life, endless amounts of knowledge about what life truly has to offer for me. I saw a different side of this person. They really opened me up and told me how much potential I truly did have, and seeing as I looked up to them, it impacted me in ways unimaginable. I know that they are going through just as much as I am, but truly they are one of the strongest people I have ever met in my life. You probably know who you are. If you're reading this, thank you so much.

I learned this year that compassion comes with humbleness. This year, more than ever, one person taught me that the only thing you need to be accepted is to be humble in all that you do. I've never been an egotistical person, but this has taught me to reassess myself constantly to always be the best person that I can be, at all times. Through all you have done for me, it has made me a person that people generally like to be around. It increased my confidence. I can't tell you enough how much that means to me. You probably know who you are. If you're reading this, thank you so much.

I learned this year that sometimes belief in oneself is all you need to excel. There are a few I can thank, but at the moment, I will thank one. You gave me the strength to believe in who I was, even in the most dismal areas of my life. I never thought that I could be ranked with the likes of you, but yet I still had the spirit to pursue myself, digging deeper and deeper to find out what was truly inside me. I'm really glad that I met you. You've inspired me in many ways, and I hope that all works out well. You don't know who you are yet. I surely hope you do soon.

To everyone else, thank you for making this year one that will be cherished. Everyone that I have talked to this year has impacted me, in one way or another. I simply could not write enough to thank everyone individually. However, just know that YOU are acknowledged by me, right now, personally. Thank you again for all you have done for me.

Here's to a new year.

Magic

It's that time of year again.

The holiday season, for many a time of stress and a time of loathing. Believe it or not, there's several people who despise Christmas. So much to do, so little time to do it all in. However, I love the Christmas season, and I'll tell you why: it's the real meaning of Christmas. Personally, no, Christmas isn't a religious affiliation for me, and I know there'll be some people that argue "WELL CHRIST IS IN CHRISTMAS", shut up, Christmas isn't a time to argue.

You being associated with Christianity should know that.

Christmas, to me, is about family. It's about giving, not necessarily physically, but giving that feeling of kindness and mere good deeds. Sure, it's always a pursuit to do a good deed all the other days of the year, but something about Christmas turns the most heartless fool into a mindful citizen. That feeling that you get of safety and security, the smile on your face you just can't seem to explain. It's all within the spirit of Christmas.

Magic, if you will.

I love Christmas because of the magic that is present on every corner of life. You never know what will happen. Don't believe me? Story time. Especially in this year, financial hardships are striking a lot of families. Some people have to cut down on holiday lights. There might be a substantially smaller amount of presents under the tree. Perhaps, maybe you have no tree at all. A Christmas without a tree? Sad, yes. But sometimes you have to just deal with it.

Unless there's magic involved.

Sometimes, the family that is struggling enough can't make it by without the kindness of a stranger. The kindness from one person's heart that tells them "do the right thing." With that generosity, added with that Christmas magic, sometimes you just might be destined to have a Christmas tree. Because of a kind stranger who is willing to buy you one.

Yeah, that poor family? That was me.

 
And you say magic isn't real. I'd beg to differ.

Merry Christmas, everyone. Thank you for making my life worth living.

Older is Wiser

My week has been awesome. But something touched me today.

I walked into a McDonalds today, just minding my own business. Another day, just getting a water that I can hopefully sneak some soda into and a McDouble with the last dollar I had. It was just another day. However, I sat next to an older woman, around her mid 70's. She said hello to me, I said so too. She asked me if I went to school at Loveland, I said I did. We began to talk about school, about how most teens don't have much good to say about school. So we talked. And we talked and we talked and we talked. It was the kindness of talking to a complete stranger that made such an impact.

I was shocked in a sense. I had no idea who this woman was. And yet she trusted me as if I was her own. We began to talk about kindness. How kindness is something that we all can spread to make the world so much better, no matter what we have had to deal with. I mentioned a scenario with Ryan Kent (hope you're reading Ryan) and how that inspired me to dedicate my life to spreading kindness amongst everyone in my life. Karen (the woman's name) really valued that about me. She said I wasn't like most teens.

She's right.

As she was leaving, she came back in after trying to start her car. She ran out of gas. Speaking of kindness, I offered to take the gas container she had and take it to the King Soopers gas station a couple blocks away and fill it up to help her get home. Do you know how great it feels to help others in such great quantities at random? My God, it feels amazing. Just remember that one act of kindness can completely revelate someone's life.

Sounds cliche, but it's true.