I think it is safe to say that 2011 was by far the most important year of my life to date. It had its high’s and its low’s. Life is like a roller coaster, but at the end, you always want to ride it again. Life would not be good without its trials and challenges. That is what makes it so incredible! You can never expect anything, but you can always expect the unexpected.
How do you sum up your entire year in one word? Educational. Things I have experienced this year will carry with me for the most part of life. It is always amazing to have things go completely wrong, but in the end you learn from them and finally figure out your course of direction. Thomas Edison didn’t fail 1,000 times to invent something, but found a 1,000 ways to not invent something. The point I try to make here is that no matter what happens, you’ll always figure out ways to solve it. Shit happens we all know that. Rather than admit failure, admit that you found a way to not accomplish something. In a way, you still claimed victory, because you didn’t admit defeat, just strategically retreated to gather your troops and commence your counter-attack.
2011 was a life-changing year for me. Things happened that I would have never expected. I had my highest highs and some of my lowest lows. I was pitched some crazy curve balls, but with a great team and an awesome batting coach I managed for the most part to hit those curve balls out of the park. Granted, we all continually fight upward battles, some are easier than others, but we always keep fighting. Back when the Nazis were knocking on Stalin’s door, the Russians didn’t give up the fight and surrender, no. They hunkered down and got into the grit with the Nazis. You weren’t going to take them alive. They were willing to fight to the last man, but thankfully Old Man Winter lent a helping hand and allowed them to gain the upper hand. You can’t go on with life alone. You always need your team and fans to keep you strong. That has been by far one of the most important things I learned this year.
2011 has also brought me some of the once in a chance lifetime experiences. I was elected as Alta High School’s Junior Class President. Out of 1,000 kids, they elected me? Who would have thought? I’m still shocked that I was elected. You have no idea the honor it is to serve this school. Alta has some pretty amazing individuals that have made an incredible impact in my life. Some of them have no idea the impact they make. Growing up with some of these people allows me to maintain hope that America has a bright and prosperous future.
I was also given the chance to travel the Washington D.C. over the summer with the family. Man, what an amazing trip. I absolutely fell in love with that city. We also all came closer as a family during these trips. Family is the most important thing to me, nothing else compares… Most kids my age just laugh, but to understand, you just have to know my family. I love that I am blessed with an incredible support structure at home. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
USU Leadership Camp over the summer was also eye opening. I developed some great friendships that I hope will carry on for a long time. My Junior Class officers couldn’t be any better. I have such a great team to serve with. The fact that we stand united together is fantastic. You guys have no idea how great you are. Alta has the honor for you to serve the school. Thank you for granting me with a great half of the year. I mean it.
Next, the Debate team… What can I say about us? Maybe talk about our insanity or the plots to watch the world burn? Nah… Let’s not worry about this right now. It isn’t important. Ha ha. You guys are amazing. Our group in the back office has made an incredible impact in my life. You all know who you are. If I could say anything to you guys, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for everything… You guys truly go above and beyond the call of duty. You are honestly the best friends a person could ever ask for. We’re all going far in life, kids. We all have bright futures. I can’t wait to see where life takes us. But, honestly, thank you so much… I can’t wait to finish off the school year strong with you all.
Another huge accomplishment for me is probably this blog. I’m proud of this baby. I will try to maintain my humility, but this is a huge feat for me. It is awesome to see my writing progress from my first post to this one and the ones after. I feel like I’m evolving as a writer and hope to continue on with writing. I hope to one day be able to publish my material and even have an editorial in the newspaper on why I think “Life is Good”. What do you guys think about that?
This year, I also feel like I have stepped a little bit more out of my personal bubble and explored the world a little more. I’m not taking dangerous risks, but I’m taking more chances and leaps of faith. I’m more willing to take that jump for the other side now. I don’t always land on the other side, but you know what? That doesn’t matter! It doesn’t matter if you cross the finish line with nothing learned, what matters is that I’m learning and growing as a person. I posted a month or two ago about a leap I took, granted I didn’t reach the other side, but I learned so much! Sometimes it isn’t the destination that matters, but the journey itself. The Berkeley debate trip is a great example of that. The tournament was okay, but the bus ride to California was the best part. You gain strong friendships, especially when you wake up and another man is cuddling with you… Awkward at the time, but once you become better friends, that is totally cool to do… not really, but at least it isn’t awkward… Ha ha. Well, I took a few leaps, made some and missed others, but I’m okay with that.
I went to church for the first time in years and I had a blast. Watched my sister become baptized. The smile on her and the families face was enough to provide light in the deepest mine possible. For me, it was a bit interesting. I’m still searching for this enlightened moment when everything comes together. Right now, I’m still questioning and figuring out what works. That has also been a major factor in my life. I have questioned life like no other. I have no problem questioning why something is a way or why it is another way. I love being able to study and learn. I’m eager to engage my world and sculpt it how I want. I am the trailblazer of my own life.
To my downfalls… the dreaded negativity… (Darth Vader music queue now). Like I’ve stated before, this blog is to not complain about my problems and cry about it. Shit happens, right? Everyone has problems, they don’t come here to read about mine, and so I’m not going to complain, but offer my advice on how to learn from them. 2011 brought me some of my lowest and weakest moments. Things were pretty dark in my mind for a period of time. To this day I am still battling issues, but that isn’t the point. Through all this mess, I was able to come out on top and actually learn something. And they say learning is only for school… Psh, amateurs. You actually learn things everyday and I love that. Back to my point. The lessons I learned are incredible. “Perception is reality”, I gained this outlook of glum on life and that there really wasn’t a meaning, but I changed my thoughts and began to focus on the bright side. Ya know how that goes. “You change your thoughts, and you change your world” –Norman Vincent Peale. The truth behind this is ridiculous. It is amazing how a little positive thinking can go a long way. Now, it is okay to throw yourself a pity party every now and then, but for me, it turned into a few months of it. By the end of it, it just gets annoying… You just have to pick yourself up, dust yourself, and go out swinging. Look at Joe Louis, he didn’t give up after his defeat. No, he kept training and finally for the rematch, he went in and fought hard. The result? Knockout in the first round. He believed in himself. I changed my thoughts and believed in myself. I’m still fighting the battles, but I finally have the upper hand. The enemy is still fighting, but I’ve got them scared. My reinforcements, team, family, and support structure is still there. Together we’ll get the job done. It takes time. Nothing is a quick fix, but we’re still going strong. Just have to take it step by step. I hope that I made my points clear, I feel like I rambled a little more than usual, but just never give up. Keep fighting your fights! Always remember that I’m always willing to lend some support in your fights. Don’t be afraid to ask for some reinforcements. Want to know a little bright side to all of this? Whenever I get down, I clean… Who would have thought that? Even though things go bad from time to time, at least the dishes get done, car is kept clean, and the odor in my room subsides. Ha ha. See, look at the bright side of life. It works. Also, blogging helps too. I’m addicted to it.
To close, 2011 was an interesting year. I enjoyed parts, hated parts, but at the end, I wouldn’t take any of it back for anything. No regrets this year. Everything happened for a reason.
Thank you to everyone who has made an impact. You guys are amazing. You have no idea how great you truly are. First, I would like to thank the academy… (False, they just say that because they have to) No really, thank you. I can’t even express how great all of you are.
Always remember that Life is Good. It is tough and sometimes doesn’t feel good, but it is. Keep it close to you. Remember it on those days you want your pity party. Keep your chin up. Go out swinging! Hit those curve balls out of the park! And don’t ever, ever, ever, ever give up. Someone will always be there to pick you right back up. You may not think so, but they are.
I hope you all had a great and safe evening for New Year’s Eve. I hope your holiday break was incredible! Thank you for taking the time to read this! May the force be with you!
Life is Good,
Nicholas
