A Second First

I cannot believe it has been a year since I launched this blog! A year is a long time, and yet it's really not. Thank you for all your support, and for reading what I have to say. It really does mean the world to me.

I started writing this blog to inspire, to encourage, to uplift, to help, and to support anyone who happened to find and read it. I truly hope I've been able to do at least one of those things for someone. While writing my posts about being positive I was trying to inspire, to encourage, to uplift, to help, and to support myself-- I was trying to remain the positive person I used to be, but through my writing. I'm not sure if that makes sense. For me, writing is a release; it is an easy way to communicate and by writing positively it helped me think positively. It's also what I love to do and makes me happy. Doing what you love is so important.

I've learned throughout this past year that I can do whatever I set my mind on. It takes hard work, determination, and a stronger desire to succeed than to fail. As I write this  I am sitting in my residence room at the University of Essex in Colchester England. A year a ago I wouldn't have even dreamed I'd be in this situation. I've met the most amazing people and I've had the most wonderful adventures-- and it's only just the beginning of this journey. I strongly believe that if something doesn't challenge you, it won't change you. Life is about growing and learning-- and change is a crucial part of that. You find out more about yourself when you are challenged. Take the challenges that face you head on, especially if you are scared. The reward you get for accomplishing something you never expected to be able to is worth it; you get to find more pieces of yourself that you didn't even know were missing. One of my favourite quotes is "Allow yourself to be a beginner. No one starts off being excellent." Allow yourself to learn and grow, and beautiful things will begin to happen.

Life can change in an instant; of that I am sure. I've witnessed it and I'm sure you have too. I cannot stress enough just how important it is to take each day as though it is all it's own. As though it is the first and the last. Say what you need to say, tell people that you care, express yourself, accept challenges, and try something new.

I started this blog with this picture. I will stress again the importance of getting out there and trying something new-- doing something for the first time. I hope you spent this past year trying things for the first time, and doing the things that make you happy. Life is a grand adventure, and all you can do is try to enjoy the ride. Remember that each day comes bearing it's gifts; untie the ribbons. Find the good and the beautiful in each day; it's there whether you can see it right away or not.

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take but by the number of moments that take your breath away."

Here is to another year full of firsts.