Day 364: auf Wiedersehen
by Tanya SaÂ
Well, lah dee dah. My LAST blog post for another installment of 365 Attempts (At Life). The experience this time around was completely different. Sharing the âword loadâ with 7 other (super) talented individuals took a great deal of the pressure off. But it was far more difficult for me than the last run of writing every day for one whole year. The struggle this time was less about writerâs block and more about not really wanting to delve into my personal affairs in a public way anymore. So⊠I've decided no more blogs for me. I'm very happy to hear that my co-bloggers have found the experience enriching and have used this forum to write through feelings and realizations. I too, have experienced that at different points my first time around. But as I get older, and travel further down the path of my own life, I have realized a greater need for privacy and introspection. This time ahead, the attempt will be to get to know myself for myself. I would like to thank Natalie for conjuring up this group idea when I was toying with another year of daily writing solo. I do feel her gifted writing was the heart of 365 Attempts (At Life) this time around. She weaves words and thoughts together quite unlike anyone I know and all in all is a pretty remarkable person I'm blessed to call a friend. To Johnny, Anthony, N@t, Courtney, Pants/Kenneth and yes, even Carlo for your commitment to this project. Writing homework is not always fun when LIFE is happening to you and around you. But you did it and I commend you. (I'm doing the waveâŠall by myself, but still doing the wave nonetheless). You turned this blog into a colourful mosaic of personality and heart. I enjoyed the slices of life you offered up. Thank you!!!
And so my lovely reader friends, what have I learned about LIFE thus far? I've learned that expectations are a cruel self-inflicted trick. Better to expect the unexpected. I've learned change is inevitable. And possibly not the most terrible thing in the world. I've learned that if you treat your hard earned money with respect you will have enough. If you donât âŠyou wonât. I've learned that travel is the greatest teacher. I've learned that you shouldn't let anyone dictate what you enjoy or believe in. Respect your own tastes and opinions. Hear them clearly in your mind because thatâs your individuality speaking directly to you. I've learned that family can be a complicated nest of relationships. You canât force closeness. But you can have an open heart and forgo pettiness. I've learned that itâs better to surround yourself with people who recognize you are evolving. Donât allow anyone to pigeon-hole you as âthat guyâ or âthat girlâ. You are so, so much more. I've learned that this online existence is taking us away from the present. Be more present. Life is way too short not to. I've learned that falling completely in love with someone is a scary, scary thing. But that that loving yourself is even scarier. And harder. Most of all, I've learned that life is a daily attempt. You have to keep showing up. Stay alive. Breathe. And just do your best.
