In this life.....

.....you will realize it is hard enough to be yourself, let alone someone else.

This year, just about everyone I know went through some sort of life-changing experience; be it a break up from a wife or long-time girlfriend, a death or a house foreclosure, someone had a difficult year. We all learned a bit about ourselves from this as hardship makes you tougher and prepares you to appreciate the good times that much more. My year was no different - but I learned much about myself.

This year, I went through two difficult break-ups, had two close friends die and I reached all-time lows at work and with personal self-esteem. I had a very taxing time just dealing with life. But all of that was not for naught; I learned that my threshold for pain has increased exponentially and that I can take whatever might come to me. I am ready to take on the world and it is because of the pain that I have felt this year. Although it seemed like a never ending stream of distress, I found out that I could take more and more and still remain resilient.

I have realized that I need to be myself more and more; as I get older, I have less tolerance for games and peoples bullshit. FOR REAL!!! This life is short and a year can pass you by in the blink of an eye. I also realize that I have less time for holding grudges. People come and go in your life and the ones that can't respect me and love me for me, they can fuck right off. Got no time for you!!!!

I will resolve to be myself. I will resolve to be nice to the people who deserve it. I resolve to not care about the people who do not show me the same respect. I resolve to do what I want, when I want. I also will respect and show that to the people who respect me back. It is hard enough to be me; and if you know me, you know why.

All-in-all, life is tough and it is a constant test. And it will beat you down. But being who you are, no matter what, is what will guide you through this life.......