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One of my favorite parts about New Years is remembering everything that I've learned and accomplished this year. I then go over my goal list, adding and/or removing things that are no longer applicable.

While looking back, you'd be surprised what you might think about. Perhaps a friend of yours went to Machu Picchu and you've decided to add it to your list, or maybe that tattoo you were planning on getting with your now ex boyfriend isn't such a good idea for 2012. But don't forget to think about the things that you really worked through - Newly single? Now's the time to find yourself, to be independent. New baby? That's a really big deal, maybe there are a few goals as a mother or father that you would like to accomplish. Either way, whatever the goals are, it's important to allow your goal list to grow with you.

There are quite a few things that I've learned this year; the most important ones being that all relationships take work, there is a balance between living life for you and living with your significant other, people can and do change, and that you should try (almost) everything at least once. :)


Happy New Year!
A.E.C.

_One thing I believe each of us have come to know all too well is how tough it can be to communicate with other drivers on the road.

Just yesterday, I found myself flashing my lights at a driver about four blocks away. The lights were so bright that I was sure he had his brights on. Instead of notifying me that his brights hadn't originally been on with a quick flash of the brights, he turned them all the way on for the next three blocks between us, as if to teach me a lesson for 'being so rude'.

It's unbelievably difficult to understand what's going on in the minds of others, especially while driving, so how do we keep ourselves from getting completely stressed out every time we hop in the car?

While driving on a good day, one person tailgating us for no reason or cutting us off can ruin the whole day - if we let it. This can cause a chain effect if we let it, and soon we find ourselves doing the exact thing to others. Hypocritical... I know. Either way, the important thing to focus on is that good deeds have the same effect. Letting someone in in traffic, getting over for someone who wants to pass you on the correct side (which is the left), or stopping to help someone who's trying to change their tire in the rain - these are all good things that can not only make ourselves like the world better - but others too!

Lets stop letting other people turn us into driving monsters for the day, and instead let it push us to help people out. (Because obviously that person must not be having the best day.)

A.E.C.

Until this weekend, I was unknowingly unclear about what it means to lead by example. It's not just about being a good role model; leading by example also involves standing up when you know you've made a mistake.

You may feel as though your mistake sets a bad example, but when you stand up to face the consequences you're setting the best example of all: You're showing that you can own up to your mistakes, and that they can too.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Everyone makes mistakes. This is how we learn; how we must make our way through life. Owning up to them is just one step further for you, but could mean a marathon for someone else.

Owning up takes courage, courage takes bravery, and bravery takes knowing that we only have so much time. We must make the best of it.


A.E.C.

Our world is a mystery; we don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, or the next day, or the day after that. And I've heard people say this over and over again like it's a bad thing; like it's a reason to laze around or simply skate through life, pretending that it's not important.

I couldn't disagree more. We may not know what's coming next, but how boring would life be if we did? There wouldn't be surprises of any kind, unexpected last-minute changes, or any point of wrapping presents for people. And, yes, there is tragedy and heartbreak, but knowing would only worsen the pain - especially when there isn't anything we could do about it - and cause constant worry that can get in the way of the good moments. All we can do is make a few plans and live life to the fullest.

And if you're someone who's unsure of what you want - go find it. Figure out what you enjoy most in life - maybe make a list of all of the things you like doing on a day-to-day basis. Then, go find classes on the topic, or jobs you could apply for that would relate to you, because you are the only one who can truly make yourself happy - no one else can give you that complete satisfaction.

So, what are you waiting for? What you want is not likely to fall into your lap. Go get it! Have adventures, be brave, pay it forward, and stop caring about what other people think of you - just do. Defy the odds, have fun, and be who you've always wanted to be. :) It's the only way to live your life - for you.

A.E.C.

Yesterday I found myself putting together yet another list - this time of all of the goals I'd like to accomplish before 2012. I've made it a big goal to accomplish more than I did last year. What I didn't take note of is how much rushing yourself can make your accomplished goals somewhat void.

For example, cramming 19+ goals into 18 days is a little ridiculous if you ask me. Accomplishing goals shouldn't just be about proving to yourself (or others) that you can do something, it should be mainly about the experience; something to truly enjoy and to take in.

We've been competing with ourselves for sometime; always trying to break our own records, always pushing ourselves further and constantly asking ourselves why we aren't pushing harder. However, one of the many things I just recently learned in life is that, sometimes, you've got to give yourself a little break; push yourself, but allow yourself a little room so that you don't get completely burnt out, and so that you're able to enjoy what you're experiencing. Take in some of your greatest moments and accomplishments before pushing onto the next, and you'll see just how much more incredible life can really be.

Continue to push yourself, but remember to take a look up from whatever it is you're working on every once in a while. Our accomplishments and hard work should not go unnoticed, especially by ourselves. - You never know what you might miss.

We may be the most critical of our work, but we may also receive the most joy from it, and we should.

A.E.C.

It's easy to be critical of yourself, and I'm certainly a master at that. Whether you're a perfectionist or not, there are times when you're down on yourself.

We all do it, but that's not a good enough reason to continue to do it. When you're down on yourself, not only is it hard for you to spend time with you, but other people feel that way about spending time with you too. Oh! And have I mentioned what a toll this takes on your goals? It will delay them inevitably and possibly stop you from accomplishing anything at all.

When I got home from Nashville, I was a complete mess. I'd convinced myself that, by moving home, I had ruined everything. Even though I knew that there was a lot of work that needed to be done here before I could get anything accomplished with the career that I want there, I was constantly telling myself that I was a failure - that I'd missed out on my one shot. This began affecting every relationship that I have. I was completely unsure of what I was going to do, slightly depressed, and wondering why everything was going sour.

Finally, I realized that I was making things sour because I wasn't fighting anymore. While in Nashville, not only was I not prepared for the career of my dreams, but I was rather limited to what I could do alone. I hadn't missed out because that wasn't my only shot, and in order to get another shot, I would have to fight for it, so that's what I'm working on now.

No matter how many times you try and fail, there's still opportunity. Yes - there may come a time when you are in the right place, but if you aren't prepared, then you need to reevaluate things to move forward. You need to weigh your options, explore different routes, and fight with everything that you have so that one day you'll be prepared and in the right place at the right time.

Don't be too hard on yourself. You're fighting for your dreams; this is a lot more than some can say. When all is said and done, you'll have more incredible stories than you know what to do with, and - best of all - you won't have regrets.

A.E.C.