There's a scene in the movie The Holiday where Iris (played by Kate Winslet) says, "You're supposed to be the leading lady in your own life, for God's sake!"
I recently turned 25 and in the weeks leading up to October 12, I thought a lot about this past year and I can honestly say that 24 was the best year of my life to date. And, here's why - I became the leading lady in my life.
I have some amazing friends and have had no problem playing this girl in their lives.
Yeah, not Jennifer Lopez... the other one, the one of the left. If you are any bit of a Romantic Comedy buff you know that Judy Greer is always the "supporting" actress. She's the best friend, the assistant, the back up. I love being that girl for my friends but, it was time that I be the leading lady in my own life. Here's what I can say about 24, if someone were to make a movie about my 24th year of life... you would want to watch it... and you would like it... heck you might even love it. You'd laugh (a lot), you'd cry (just because my year was great doesn't mean it was perfect), and you'd totally fall in love with the crazy, quirky leading lady finding her way and making her mark on the world around her.
This year I:
Got my first big girl, full time job... with a paycheck... that I gave away to bills.
Traveled! ... (for weddings mostly... it's that time when everyone is getting hitched)
Rekindled an old friendship that I treasure dearly.
Got a personal trainer... and good friend along the way.
Worked out... A LOT!
Discovered my inner athlete... who knew?
Fell in love with running and did my first "run" ever and then several after that.
Set bigger goals for myself.
Made new and unexpected friends.
Went out... mostly classy endeavors... sometimes not so much.
Had my first date ever...
Had my first kiss...
Found out how fun it is to talk with your girlfriends about their first kiss... hilarious!
Proved that true friendships will persevere no matter the distance between living locations.
Met someone that could quite possibly be a game changer... and that kind of scares the crap out of me but, we'll see what happens... the next chapter is still unwritten.
Was reminded daily that I am broken and imperfect all the time but, by the grace of God I have the opportunity to do something really special with my life.
It was because of my faith that I was able to hit rock bottom over a year ago and realize that I had to let go and let God take over to live my life at 100%. I don't want to leave anything behind. I don't want to miss out on God's will for my life. I have made a lot of mistakes and am positive that this is a trend that will continue but, what is also true is that God always meets me where I am at. Always has his arms wide open. Never leaves me. So, no matter what He has me in the midst of right now, I will do it at 100% leaving nothing back. I will be the leading lady in my life... and I promise you'll want to watch.
I have some amazing friends and have had no problem playing this girl in their lives.
This year I:
Got my first big girl, full time job... with a paycheck... that I gave away to bills.
Traveled! ... (for weddings mostly... it's that time when everyone is getting hitched)
Got a personal trainer... and good friend along the way.
Made new and unexpected friends.
Went out... mostly classy endeavors... sometimes not so much.
Had my first date ever...
Had my first kiss...
Found out how fun it is to talk with your girlfriends about their first kiss... hilarious!
Proved that true friendships will persevere no matter the distance between living locations.
Met someone that could quite possibly be a game changer... and that kind of scares the crap out of me but, we'll see what happens... the next chapter is still unwritten.
Was reminded daily that I am broken and imperfect all the time but, by the grace of God I have the opportunity to do something really special with my life.
It was because of my faith that I was able to hit rock bottom over a year ago and realize that I had to let go and let God take over to live my life at 100%. I don't want to leave anything behind. I don't want to miss out on God's will for my life. I have made a lot of mistakes and am positive that this is a trend that will continue but, what is also true is that God always meets me where I am at. Always has his arms wide open. Never leaves me. So, no matter what He has me in the midst of right now, I will do it at 100% leaving nothing back. I will be the leading lady in my life... and I promise you'll want to watch.
I can't believe no one else has posted a comment, but your dear old mom will! Again, I love your writing and, more importantly, your honesty! You rock my world!
ReplyDeleteNow...if as an English teacher of composition, I could get you, my daughter, to put your comma BEFORE the conjunction "but," I will have found success in life!!!!! Haha!