“Who
knows where life will take you, the road is long, and in the end... the journey
is the destination.” – One Tree Hill
My sunglasses are down, the roof of
the car is open and all there is ahead of me are two lanes divided by a double
yellow line. This is a sort of freedom that I've come to know really well this year...
I look to my left- I look to my
right. I check my mirrors and I smile. An Usher song is blasting but because of
the wind, I can barely hear more than a bassy beat echoing through the car. I love it: the disorientation, my hair
blowing from side to side. I feel my hamstrings begin to sweat from the
humidity that is inescapable. I check myself out again (hehe), and I think
about how I got here-to Houston- in August- in this mustang convertible.
This is pretty amazing.
I decide that I got here by focusing
on what I call “yearSelf”-- yes “yearSelf”. Many people have often said to,
"focus on yourself more Libs" so I made "yourself" into a yearlong quest. A yearlong open road
with, a yearlong road trip—where I am always in the driver’s seat, only
envisioning one lane—the one that goes forward, rather than back.
A lot’s happened this year—but to
look back on it—to be nostalgic about it—would be a bit hypocritical of that
last line. But sometimes, in writing, it’s okay to be a bit hypocritical—and
why? Because in writing, we can make our own rules (and why? Because I said
so). So here goes:
I started taking acting classes in
January and made an incredible group of friends that I now consider family.
I took up a yearlong challenge to try one new thing a week—starting in February, that I pre-conceived in January.
I’ve dated—and had a break up.
I’ve called home more.
I've worn bright colors (and yes this makes a huge difference in life)
I’ve ran my second half-marathon—this
time with a good friend.
I’ve meditated.
I’ve written more.
I’ve taken time for me.
I’ve had dizzying discoveries, and
beaming break-throughs.
I quit my job in July.
I took a freelance job in August.
And it’s ONLY August.
That’s how I got here. To this
moment. In this white mustang convertible, that we’ve rented for work. That’s
how I got here—to this open road ahead, both literally and metaphorically. And
I’m not so worried about any forks, because I’ve made some tough decisions this
year too. Ones that I have yet to regret—and don’t for-see regretting anytime
soon or ever--cause *Life is too short to have regrets.*
But the only decision that’s
mattered—truly mattered, is the one where I decided to take the year—to focus
on myself. To make 2012, my open road—my metaphorical road trip—my journey--my “yearSelf.”
I challenge you to take one of these
yourself—without any destination in mind—because really—the only destination—is the journey.
