Reflections

I can't say that I'm sad to see 2009 come to an end, but while I could lament about all the terrible things that happened over the past twelve months I would much rather reflect on the the positive aspects of the year.

Spiritually, the past twelve months have been prosperous. I've grown ever more confident and comfortable when discussing my beliefs with others and am officially and completely out of whatever broom closet I may have been in. I've had the pleasure of meeting so many other pagans and have had the opportunity to learn about other paths and beliefs that I would never have been able to do other wise.

Artistically, I took a huge leap of faith and opened an Etsy shop to take the first steps in supporting myself through something I truly love to do. I also had the opportunity to visit several captivating abandoned places which I enjoyed exploring and photographing.

Tonight however, isn't just the close of a year, but the close of a decade. A decade that held so much growth and change for me. Over the past decade I got my driver's license, became an adult, graduated high school, became old enough to drink. I moved to another state (and consequently back home again), dated a few different people... one who introduced me to my love of photography and the abandoned and is one of the best friends I've ever had, and another whom I subsequently married. I fell to the alcoholism and saved myself from it all on my own. Three atrocious Star Wars prequels came out. I made the first steps down my chosen pagan path. I moved out of my parent's home. I got my first tattoo... quickly followed by 12 more. I've lost friends and loved ones and gained a whole lot of weight. ;)

To celebrate, a brief glimpse at the past twelve months:

So while I will be happy to see 2009 go the way of the dodo, I will look back on the past ten years with fondness and possibly a twinge or two of sadness. So, I'll raise a glass at midnight to acknowledge where I came from as well as where I'm going.