Wow. Another year gone. Again? Really?

So much has happened this year. Bad and good.

I've lost people I care deeply about, through death and through falling out.

I've gained love for new lives born into this world, and new friends who have shown me more of the world, and in their own way helped me find the deeper parts of myself.

I've learned what I'll stand up for, and what I'll fight against. I've also learned my limits when it comes to biting my tongue, and telling the truth, even if other's are ready to reject me for that.

There have been changes in my world, and changes in our world as a whole. For good or bad only time can truly tell.

We've said goodbye to great leaders, great artists, great people in general.

We've all butted heads and I think we've started to realize how truly polarized we as a nation and a world have become.

What do I hope for our future... I hope for moderation. I don't hope for the simply outrageous wish of world peace and that we all get along, something like that is simply out of human range. But I hope for moderation to seep back into our worldly society. That we learn when enough is enough, and when we have to bend to cooperate with others. And that the things that simply can't be agreed on, can be debated civilly, rather than the low blows are politicians (and civilians) have become used to throwing.

I hope realism to come back into fashion. For faith to stop being a dirty word. For our oppressive political correctness take a back seat, and racial, religious, and political honesty to take the wheel. I hope for the impossible in these.

I hope for fairness. We've turned the wheel from one extreme to the other in that sense and are currently careening out of control. People get hurt feelings, people aren't all created equal, but all should have equal opportunity. A line that had faded into oblivion.

I hope for the courage to speak my mind, instead of keeping my ideals, my hopes, quiet in fear of offending someone. I hope that I remember that my faith can keep me strong and that God will always grant me the words I need. That I can find through Him the power I need to hold my place in this world, and the acceptance to know when to let it go.

I've changed this year.

And I'm not afraid of that.

With who I have become I understand that my writing is about to change. And that I'll not only lose readers, I'll gain them too. Perhaps I haven't been honest with my audience, and perhaps I've tried too hard to make people like me. Part of my change is questioning that.

This year won't be like any other. I feel it rumbling inside me and I know, things have only begun.