Another Year Over, A New One Just Begun

2012 was a hell of a year. It had its highs, it had its lows. It was a trying year, but a year of growth - in all aspects of life.

In dancing, I made it to BluesSHOUT! for the first time, found my love of dancing again, and was asked to be the dance partner of a man who has become the best friend I've had in years.

In school, I returned to writing as I enrolled in a Creative Writing minor and learned how to model the human figure in Maya.

In life though, I think I've learned the most. I've learned that it's ok to be broken. I've learned that it's ok to be selfish sometimes, in order to take care of yourself. I've learned that I'm a likable (even sometimes desirable) person. I've learned that I can't change the past, no matter how much I may want to, and that it's no good beating myself up over it. I've learned that I've been keeping people out, in an effort to protect myself. I've learned that it's ok to explore my sexuality. I'm learning love myself, because I can be a pretty cool person sometimes. Most of all, I've learned that I'm not alone. I'm not the only one who is suffering and fighting with emotions and crap beyond their control. I am one of many that are looking for healing, for answers.

At the end of the day, the best part of 2012 has been the friendships that have been born and/or grown: my dance partner and best friend, who I've known now for two years now; my MFA buddy, who I only met three months ago; my Detroit friend, who took me home for Thanksgiving. I've found friends who are ok to sit there while I'm having a flashback breakdown, hand on my knee, and telling me that it's alright to feel overwhelmed. To be hurt, or angry, or upset.  Who are ok to just listen to me rant about my day, or talk about recent discoveries I've made. Who are ok to make alcoholic pumpkin shakes and watch Supernatural while we plan our hermitage. Who are okay to dance until all hours of the night and fall asleep together, holding each other's hands. These are the people that I am proud, lucky, and blessed to call friends. They're the reason that I've been able to grow so much. They are what made 2012 truly wonderful, in spite of all the lows.

2012 has been an adventure in its own right, and one that I'm grateful to have been through. So here's a salute to the old year, and a cheers to the new. Let's see what 2013 holds, shall we?