A year ago I wrote a post declaring this would be the best year of my life. Looking back I have to wonder a bit at my boldness, I had no real expectations that anything big was coming down the road when I made the prediction, just a determination to make it so. The past couple of months as I've felt the anniversary of that post getting closer, I've found myself wondering if I made it true.
In reviewing my year, I can't say that there have been any big changes in my life. I haven't gotten a promotion - although I unexpectedly got to spend most of the year in the US instead of India, which has been a nice treat. I've done some fun weekend travel - Thailand, Nashville, Ashville, Cumberland Falls, Shaker Village and Red River Gorge, but no big travel adventures as in past years. I haven't met "the one" but I'm still looking.
Still, I've come to the conclusion that in many ways this has been the greatest year of my life. Not because of something external that happened or something I've been given, but because of the peace I've found within myself. For the first time in my life I feel comfortable in my own skin. I can honestly say I like the woman I've become, I enjoy the life I live, and, while I still have many goals I want to accomplish, I know I'm on the path to do so.
The photo above was taken by a German girl I met on my hike this weekend, it is straight out of the camera, showing me exactly as I am today. A year ago I never would have posted a photo of just me, in all my imperfections out here for everyone to see. But this year, it somehow feels right. Here is hoping the next year is even better, but no matter what, I have a feeling I'll enjoy the journey.
This lovely song by Tina Dico may just be my theme song for the next year:
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25 comments:
A truly wonderful post!! Great words and photo! May your next year be even better. ♥ t
This is a great picture of you and cheers to a great year!
Great post, Jamie! Sounds like you've done a lot of growing over the past year. Wonderful picture and here's to another great year!
{let's try that again...)
jamie,
i love this post and the fact that you sound so content. the photo is beautiful and i am happy for you that you are in a place where you are so comfortable sharing it with us. i have not yet posted a photo of myself on my blog, but for a few obscured reflections :)
here's to another great year!
That bit of peace is priceless :)
I love that picture!
good for you jamie.
i wish i were feeling good about myself too.
something to work on.
you are a great inspiration.
hugs~
chasity
Congratulations on a great year! I remember that post and I can't believe it's already been a year since you wrote that. I love that you post picture of yourself and know we all enjoy them. You truly seem happy and it's reflects in the things you do. Here's to another wonderful year!!
I am feeling much the same way myself this year...it is all internal, and I think some of it does happen simply because we decide to make it so, we decide to be our best selves, love our selves, love life.
And p.s. you are beautiful!
You look so pretty in that picture! I can really tell a difference in you the past year. I also love the woman you have become. I love the confidence you have. And I love that you are my BFF!
That is a lovely picture and I too know how quickly one day can become a week, a month, a year and so on so forth. There is so much out there and I know I will never see everything I want to or experience everything that the world has to offer, but that is life, one day is never exactly the same even if it feels that way. Something I particularly realise now having my camera on me at all times I get to snap the things that I otherwise might not remember as they flash past but make the day and the world different and more beautiful in some way. Opening yourself to that is something that can then open up even more surprising things, hopefully for you these will be what you dream for.
wow! what an amazing post, that is so great, you look so content and it's wonderful how your year has come together and you can embrace it all, brilliant stuff!
i love this post so very much! i love the realizations you have come to and how happy you are in life, that is such a great blessing! i am sure your years will just continue to get better! I can't listen to the song right now because I am in an apartment full of sleeping people, but i can't wait to hear it tomorrow! hope your first week in this next age of life is awesome!
Great post, Jamie-your photo is beautiful and your positivity is so inspiring! Wishing you lots of good things in your coming year.
Lovely post Jamie. I'm still working up to puting all of me in the frame of the photo (but it's coming). Such a lovely photo and looks like a wonderful place to hike. Cheers to the next year being just as good (or better).
wonderful post. I 've known the women you have become for years...you just hadn't met her yet! You are a perfect daughter. always loved.
Bravo, good for you my friend! I love this post and hearing of your journey over htis past year. Well done, you are lovely.
i think...you did super great this year =)next year it will just keep getting better. the "right one" will come, no worries about that =) just enjoy the "now" and always remember you are always loved ♥ love the song!
Jamie,
Love the photograph of you. I've only just gotten to know a bit about you via our blog post interchange and mutual love of music and I think you're contributions to the inspiration studio have been awesome. Heres to another great year ahead! Thanks for your comment on my crochet projects:)
Like everyone else I love this post! You are truly a wonderful person and have always been a loyal friend. (Which in my book, is the greatest compliment.) And you look stunning in this photo. Simply Beautiful!
You are an incredible, beautiful person and I'm glad you've let me peek in on your journey. The best is yet to come.
I love that you appreciate all of your journey, and even see the beauty in the hard times or the often overlooked in between times. You have many more 'best' years ahead of you because of the goals you set and the work you put into making them so. I'm so happy you choose to share these journey with us!
Jamie, you never cease to amaze me. Thank you for sharing your life and your peace and your perspective with us. I do want to be like you when I grow up...just wanted you to know! I love you!
How nice to see a photo of you 'as is'.... you look fabulous. I'm not sure why it is so hard for me to be comfortable in my skin right now...acceptance of aging is part of it. But I've made strides this year also so maybe we're walking the same path. Thanks for sharing yourself with us.
What a beautiful, well written post. Isn’t it amazing what can happen when you put yourself out there and expect the best? My favorite part of your post is “Not because of something external that happened or something I've been given, but because of the peace I've found within myself. For the first time in my life I feel comfortable in my own skin. I can honestly say I like the woman I've become, I enjoy the life I live, and, while I still have many goals I want to accomplish, I know I'm on the path to do so.” Good for you to find yourself at this place now in your life. I feel like I’ve just now arrived there myself. That’s exactly what has been in my head, I feel comfortable in my skin and I like the woman I’ve become for the first time ever. *sigh* such a wonderful place to be, finally. And I’m sure the best is yet to come, for us both! :) hugs
♥ maureen
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