2012

This year has been a hard year, one I will look back at and remember the morning is darkest before dawn. Life seems to always get hard before it gets better. I learned a lot about myself this year and challenged myself in my struggles. This year I overcame hardship in school, being away from family, defeat, not passing my NCLEX the first time and my first real heart break. Many times I could have used excuses and given up, but I didn't. 2012 taught me that I am strong.

I have spent a lot of time this year thinking about how to make the years to come more successful and enjoyable. 2013 will be my year-- I am going to live life everyday and remember to be grateful. Grateful for the struggles and hard times so that I can appreciate the good. I read an article on "12 things happy people do differently" and I am going to work hard at developing these traits in myself.
1. Express Gratitude
2. Cultivate Optimism
3. Avoid Over Thinking and Social Comparison (**this will be a challenge for me! I am my toughest critic!!!)
4. Practice Acts of kindness
5. Nurture Social Relationships (**balancing my friendships with my time with my boy friend)
6. Develop Strategies for Coping
7. Learn to Forgive
8. Increase Flow Experiences
9. Savor Life's Joys
10. Commit to Your Goals (**this year I've set a lot of BIG goals so committing is important!!)
11. Practice Spirituality
12. Take Care of Your Body

2013:
-nursing job
-buy a house
-get a puppy
-run a half marathon
-go on a spur of the moment trip

I promise more entries to follow.
Xoxox
N