Describe a significant experience that has happened in the past year. How did it affect you? Are you grateful? Relieved? Resentful? Inspired?

I decided to join a startup company. I took the plunge and joined a company that is smaller than the department I used to be part of. It has been one heck of a learning experience so far, and I have found just how sheltered I had been in the work environment. I am really happy that I have taken on this challenge, and while the travel and the hours are rough, it is turning out to be a great ride! I am so happy that I had the confidence to do it!

I finished a year of service with AmeriCorps! It feels like a tremendous accomplishment...mostly because of how challenging it was for me. I feel very proud to have given back to my country, and become a stronger, braver, smarter, more compassionate version of my self throughout the process. 

Moved houses - mixed some good some bad. Lots of teething problems. It's good to have a home again.

I had an honest conversation with a friend about happiness. It sounds so simple, but something about the conversation completely changed my outlook on my own behavior. I would never have expected to have this conversation ever, let alone with this particular person. Something about it totally inspired me to be a happier and more open person.

I was finally promoted. I am grateful though I felt it was overdue. That said the level of responsibility has definitely increased so perhaps things really do happen in their own time.

I went to London and then Paris. It was amazing. Rose-colored glasses or not, I felt alive there. The world was my oyster. 

This past winter, I saw real loss in someone else's eyes for the first time. I wasn't close friends with this person, and was therefore surprised and confused for months about why this affected me so deeply. I think in the past few weeks, I've figured out the "why" a little bit better, and either way, I feel like this experience has certainly changed me as person. This also helped me figure out a little better (and certainly think about more!) what role the community or the people "on the auxiliary" should play in someone's time of need. 

I made more of an effort to live life as if I were a child...the discovery of trying something new that most people perhaps may take for granted. I took my brother around the city I now live in. Attended a rock concert. 

I went from extreme pain and not being able to walk to having had my hip replaced. I have such gratitude for the skill and technology that can make such a significant difference in one's life.