Moving Forward

Here we are, at the end of yet another calendar year, and this one has just flown by. Some part of that feeling has certainly been the result of the unseasonably warm weather we've been having so far this winter, but I think more of it has been just me keeping busy, building up my life, and having a great time with great friends.

Seriously, though. Whereas last year, I felt there were some areas in which my life wasn't moving forward despite progress in others; this year, I feel very much that I'm improving in almost every respect. The question is not whether I'm doing better, but only by how much.

The year hasn't been without obstacles, of course. In fact, 2015 has thrown a lot of stuff in my way, and it's come at me from just about every angle imaginable, and all throughout the year. But meanwhile, I've been able to continually look at each situation from a couple steps back, to reassess and consciously adjust my priorities as changes of plan have become necessary, and to surround myself with the companionship of amazing friends through thick and thin. And that, more than anything, has helped me through.

Not to understate any previous friendships I've had, but I can't think of any other group of people with whom I've felt so comfortable to share almost anything that's on my mind — whether it's a silly little pun, deep emotional anguish, or anything in between. People who have ceaselessly contributed so much to my life, both tangibly and intangibly, and to whom I would not hesitate to give right back in a moment of need. People around whom I feel most at peace to be, quite simply… me.

That said, most of them are still out-of-town for the holidays (as was I, of course), but I've even managed to keep things pretty balanced without them at my side — I'm in just that significantly better of a place, mentally. Which would have seemed so unattainable a year ago. It just goes to show that it can and does get better.

So it seems a little awkward by comparison that, since my parents are currently traveling, I'm back in Pittsburgh to ring in 2016 at a party in the South Hills hosted by an acquaintance (a bit better than "friend of a friend") with all of their friends. I had to have my New Year's Eve Nachos separate from the rest of the family this year, and I've had to retreat from the party for a short while to write this on my phone, but I'm still having a great time. And I wouldn't change a thing.

Here's to moving forward into 2016!

Random tangent: While writing this, it has been hilarious how some of SwiftKey's predictions have just been regurgitating pieces of individual emails I've written.