I don’t particularly care to look back on this past year and recollect or reminisce about the good and the bad. In brief, I had hoped for better and I’m grateful it wasn’t worse. And while the weather, in general, was great — it was a hell of a storm.
I don’t know if I’m just that hopeful about 2012 or if it’s that I just need to have hope in 2012, but thank god 2011 is over and the feeling of starting anew is here – even if it is more symbolic than tangible.
Normally I’m not one to set concrete resolutions but I’ll admit to having a few for this coming year. Nothing too lofty; just a few items I would love to check off for me.
_ learn to skateboard with my boys
_ go back to Manhattan
_ learn Russian fluently
_ visit Savannah again
_ learn to play the guitar
_ land a great job
_ learn to dance in the rain
I know. The last one is incredibly cheesy. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read the quote: “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.” and thought “yeah, yeah, yeah” while rolling my eyes, heavy with cynicism and ill with cliche.
Then, after coming across it for the eleventy billionth time the other day, after having a hard day of trying – and failing miserably – to suck it up, it sunk in. The words actually meant something. The quote finally and suddenly resonated and I realized how much it pertained to me right now, in this very moment in my life.
This – right now – is my storm. But I’m no longer bunkering down or looking for a place to hide from the ominous clouds. I refuse to stay inside where it’s easy and safe any longer. Instead, I’m going to face the front. I’m going to seek out the puddles and splash though them. I’m going to get my feet wet, let my mascara run and learn to love to dance in the rain.
And play guitar. And learn Russian fluently. And a number of other things.
And I’m ready.
yes you are. :)
2012 better be freaking AWESOME. We’ve got some fun weddings coming up and that list of things you want to do? You better believe I’ll be cheering my ass off while you accomplish them. I know sometimes you don’t believe you can do things like this but I’ve seen you do amazing things first hand.
You’ve got this.
I think 2012 will be our year, friend. It’s a new year, and one that isn’t tainted with ghosts of the past.
I love reading what you write.
[Bad transliteration ahead]
Khorosho!
спасибо!
Beautifully said!
I feel the same way about 2011 albeit for different reasons. I lost my husband to cancer in July and am learning a lot about myself because of it! I have read your blog for quite a while and I admire your bravery and spunk! Cherish every minute you spend with those boys and believe that you’re all going to be just fine!!!
the weirdest thing for me is that I’ve been totally randomly wanting to learn Russian for the past few weeks. no idea where that desire is coming from – maybe we are just on the same wavelength.
I know you are going to accomplish amazing things this year – everything on your list and others you can’t even imagine!
happy early birthday too, btw
Hoping all of your dreams for 2012 come true. I have struggled a lot over the past few years myself and your post really resonated with me. I want to learn to dance in the rain too.
You are a beautiful writer. You’re unbelievably real and inspiring and I cannot wait to hear what you say next. I think you should write a book.
;D
Great post.
Not quite the same, but I was talking about cold-weather places with my chiropractor yesterday [Seattle and Chicago], and said, “Some places, if you waited for the weather to be nice, you’d never go out!” [I kind of came up with that, semi based on the "If people waited til they could afford children, no one would have them"...heh.]
Best Wishes with all your goals. Sounds kick-arse! I should practice my Spanish and French more. ;p They are…mostly established, with plenty of words in my brain somewhere. ;D
I nominated you for a Versatile Blogger award – in interest of full disclosure, I have no clue what that is – I believe the equivalent of a chain email. BUT I do enjoy reading your blog – I ended up starring each post in my RSS feed so I can go back and re-read them. So much of what you write really resonates with where I am at in my life right now. Thanks for writing. http://whatseatingnatalie.com/2011/12/31/versatile-blogger-awards/
I think 2012 will be the year I learn to play the banjo.
Can’t wait to see you accomplish all of these and more.
Yes, yes, and YES. I was also so ready to say goodbye to 2011, and am hopeful that the worst of the storm is over.
ps – I love Savannah. I got married there. Go back!
Learn Russian?! You go girl. I just want to go back to Russia :)
I love your committment to not doing the easy thing in 2012. I just quit my lovely, secure job to take a chance on expanding my blog and focusing on my writing. And to be honest, I feel quite insane for doing so. I’m glad I’m not the only one that’ll be tap-dancing through a gnarly storm this year. Keep going, your blog is wonderful!
Play infoarmivte for me, Mr. internet writer.
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