Good-bye 2011, Hello 2012!

Another year has come to an end, which means another year-in-review and goal setting. Ladies and gentlemen, prepare yourselves, for this is what I learned this year:

1. Your heart can heal after a terrible emotional blow. It's true that time heals all, but I never believed it until I experienced it. An ex-boyfriend and probably one of the best friends I had (I really, really liked--dare I say loved?) got married to another woman, and it was rough though I tried to put on a happy face. Several months later I'm fine with it. He's happy. I'm happy. Do I have some regrets? Yes, a few, but not enough to make me hate him. Are we still friends? Yes, but not to the extent that we were before. And that's okay. I can let go, I can move on, and I can still be happy. That doesn't mean I want a similar experience to happen though.

2. Work is stressful--it has a ton of deadlines, people got fired, our hours got cut, the editors had more books to edit, and it was awful--but that doesn't mean it has to affect my attitude. And believe me, I wanted to be terribly negative and cry that the world wasn't fair. But that's not fair to me or work. I learned that a positive attitude in stressful times benefits me and my coworkers a lot more than a negative attitude will. Go forward and smile.

3. Some people will make you feel guilty so you will do something for them. But that doesn't mean you have to do it, especially if it's not beneficial for you. People are crazy. Friends are crazy. They'll make you feel guilty. I learned it's okay to say no.

4. Hard work does equal a good pay off. I lost 30 pounds this year! Here's to another 30 in 2012.

5. Good times with friends does not equal lasting friendships. Sometimes it works . . . and sometimes it doesn't.

6. The Lord has a plan for me. Sometimes it's a little blurry on my end, but he has a clear view. I just need to have trust in him and faith to keep going.

7. I can set and meet my goals. Nanowrimo, anyone? Now I just need to finish the story.

8. I really, really like stories. I've read a lot of books this year, and I've picked up more to read. I've watched some really good movies and TV shows. And it's all about the stories . . . and my obsessions. I think it makes me a better editor. I hope.

9. I can live in the same place for a year. I like stability. Yes, I do.

10. And the best lesson I learned, Heavenly Father and the Savior are there for me.

It was kind of a roller coaster ride this year. Lots of good things happened: going to concerts, hanging out with friends, making new friends, hiking, swimming, and good family outings. And not so good things: stress at work, stress with friends, stress with family stuff. But I think this happens to everyone. Overall, it was just okay.

Evaluations of 2011 Goals:
1. Attend the temple twice a month--except for July (1 time), November (0 times), and December (1 time)
2. Read the New Testament--didn't even make through the Gospels. Stopped in March.
3. Run a 5K without dying--ran three 5Ks. Boo-yah!

2012 Goals
1. Write in my journal every day.
2. Run a 5K in 35 minutes.
3. Lose 30 pounds.