As most people do, I have been doing some
reflection as we enter into the New Year. I have reflected not only on 2013 but
the last few years. I do not see 2012 as a great year in my life. I started the
year by getting out of a relationship I never should have been in, starting a
job that took over every aspect of my life and pretty much exiled myself from
all but a handful of people I chose to still be my friends. I pretty much no
longer liked the person I was and wanted to make some big changes, I however
had a lot of healing and self-discovery to find along the way. I do not say
this to make you feel sorry for me, in fact no one should feel sorry for me.
You should actually be saying (or thinking) “You got what you deserved” or
“It’s about time you realized it” or “Thank goodness!” In my opinion 2012 was
time for a change, I didn’t realize however that it would take the whole year
to get back to the person I used to be. It was a spiritual battle and a
personal victory to finally feel like dancing around my apartment again
sometime in November. It was probably something I could have used more help
with but I was determined to conquer it all on my own, with a few long cries to
certain people. In the end I came into 2013 with a whole new perspective…ME!
I decided it was now time to have a life
again, that had to start with finding a new job. I started putting feelers out
and within three months I got a new job at Devon Energy.
| The Devon Tower in OKC With that life I wanted so badly I also decided it was time for me to be a little selfish. I was going to do anything and everything that I wanted to, I was going to make decisions without planning every aspect first and I was going to just have fun. It may not have been the most responsible way to go but let me tell you, it was fun! This year I did not worry too much about saving my money, or buying a house, or getting married, or making other people happy, I worried about me! In May I was able to spend a weekend in Dallas with one of my best friends from high school, Jessica! We shopped, ate and got to see Wicked!   In July we had our family vacation and Billy and I were able to stop and see a Braves game in Atlanta and visit the Coke Factory.      In August Bill & I met Mom and Dad in Nashville for Labor Day weekend so I could go to the Opry for the first time ever. 
Mom & Dad inside the Opry Hotel
Mom, Dad & I
Front Row our first night at the Opry!
  In October I took a trip to Pennsylvania to see Eric and go to New York City where I could also see Mike!  
It was so nice to see Mike again, and have a tour guide!
  Of course there were other fun things throughout this last year like… 
Seeing Wicked again with Mom!
    This last year really was a wonderful one. It felt so good to really smile and laugh and feel like the girl I liked again. Any challenges I have ever faced have only made me stronger and for that I am thankful. I am thankful to have realized I had changed and to be able to fix changes I did not appreciate. As I go into 2014 and turning 25 I can only hope and plan to continue with what I started last year. It is very important to be selfish at times but I also intend to work on my selflessness as well. I intend to do more for others without being a doormat in the process. I do not believe in setting new years resolutions, I simply believe if you want to make a change it doesn't matter when you start, it matters that you accomplish your goals with time. This year I intend to make a few dreams come true but if it takes longer then so be it. As long as I am serving God, having fun and being me this year will be wonderful! Keep Smiling:) Alli |
