Paint by numbers...
Change is one of the only constants of life...and this semester has been the most changing, challenging, and rewarding time of my life thus far. I began new things, and I ended things; I claimed more responsibility for myself and for my happiness; I reconnected with important people, and I formed new connections with others. I have spent the majority of my life living like I was doing paint by numbers...using the colors that were given for each section, and staying inside the lines, trying to perfect the picture given to me. But this is not the way I want to live my life. I have begun to choose my own colors, and my own designs, and paint the canvas the way that feels right to me. Because in the end, I am the one that is choosing my destination, and the only one truly responsible for living my life. I have come a long way in the past few months, and there are several people who I thank tremendously for helping me in this journey, but I need to remember that it is me, completely me, who is in charge of changing myself and making my life what I want it to be. I have had help, but I deserve credit for becoming who I have always been, hiding inside, all along. I got myself to this point, and I am proud of that. Change is something I have always feared, but the more I grow, take responsibility for myself and my happiness, and the more I see things change for me and my life in positive ways, and realize they are changing because of me, the less I fear change.