A year

Sometimes, I don't get why New Years is such a big deal.

I mean, it's just the transition between December 31st and January 1st. In the same way that tonight is the transition between January 1st and 2nd, and tomorrow night the 3rd and 4th... Every day is a clean slate, a new beginning, a fresh start. Right?

But I kind of get it, too...

A year is a long time. A lot can happen in a year. Sometimes it's good. Sometimes it's not.
But this year? Was a good year.

I discovered God in a way I never have before. And wow.

And hand in hand with finding God, I think I found myself this year. As cheesy as that might sound coming from a sixteen year old.
But honestly? I think I did.

And in finding myself, I found friendships. This year, people who I've sort of known for a long time suddenly became some of my best friends. And I can't imagine where I would be right now, at the end of this year, without them. I've met new people, too. I feel so incredibly blessed to have them in my life. New friendships came, and grew quickly into relationships I'm so happy and blessed to have.

So, yeah. This year was a good year.

And when I look forward to 2013, I guess I don't really want a clean start. I want to continue what this year has brought me.

Because, God is still the same, and I have no shortage of ways to keep discovering Him in new ways this year.
And if I keep discovering God, I'll keep renewing and rediscovering myself.
And if I keep renewing and rediscovering myself, my relationships will grow and change, and I'll become closer to people, and I'll make new friends, and maybe lose friends.

I don't think I have a New Years resolution. Because, as much as I can say, "My New Years resolution is to be joyful/thankful/loving/peaceful/hardworking. My New Years resolution is to rediscover God. Renew myself. Develop relationships." What it really comes down to is a daily decision.

I want to live this year in days, and in hours and minutes and seconds. Because really, that's what a year is composed of.

Maybe people focus on the year as a whole too much.
They make their resolutions, and when they have a crappy day and fail to meet them, they get discouraged and give up. (What? I'm the only one? oh...)

So, today is nothing more than a new day. Sure, it's the start of a new year. But it's also just a day. And so is tomorrow. And the next day.

I'm going to try and live a year of daily choices and resolutions.
Rediscovering and renewing. Everyday.