Bring On 2011!

It's been six months exactly since I've posted my last entry. I thought it was about time I get back to this. I was doing so well too, and then I just stopped. I think it was partly because I lost focus of what I was doing and what direction my life was going. I got out of routine.

In six months, I moved my entire life to Texas, became a parent to my little poodle pup Roscoe (a HUGE highlight), quit my job that wasn't the right fit for me, watched a relationship deteriorate that I should have seen coming, stayed unemployed for two months, and made the best decision for me which was to end a relationship and move back to Illinois. After that, I was beyond fortunate and blessed to be given a second chance with the Illinois Senate Republican Staff in Springfield, Illinois. Today was my first day back there.

I could sit here and try to analyze what all happened and why it happened, but that's really pointless. I do believe now more than ever that everything happens for a reason. It's been proven to me over and over. I learned extremely valuable lessons, and even though it wasn't easy by any means, it's strengthened me and made me better in several ways. In the past month, so much has happened to me that validates these beliefs, and I know what happens next will be for much of the same reasons. I've learned that if something that I feel is positive now continues to grow and move in a positive direction, that happened for a reason. But I now know that even if something starts great and doesn't end up as you hoped, there's a reason for that too and it's because something even better than you could imagine is around the corner. I've really found that out and come to realize that just within the past two weeks. Pretty amazing.

I'm excited for what 2011 holds for me. I'm sure there will be some disappointments, maybe even some hurts, but I know the laughs, smiles, fun times and memories will completely overshadow that. It's easy to get down about things and even sometimes fear the bad that might be ahead, but as I sit here, all I can be is excited to see what else life brings that I'll be able to later reflect on and say, "oh, I know why that happened...", and smile. I already am.

Happy New Year! May you find as much good out of the bad that I have, because it's there.