Post 1 – One Word. Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you? (Author: Gwen Bell)

The one word that encapsulates 2010 for me would be “growth.” Never in my life can I recount such a condensed period of time when I have learned more about myself and, as a result, have grown leaps and bounds.  While it might have felt like I was going through changes this year, I’ve come to realize that it was actually growth.  Meaning, I have not changed – I am still me, but more refined, polished, perhaps even more enhanced than a year ago. I have gone through a painstaking process of learning some of my best and worst attributes, as well as the things I allow and don’t allow to manifest in my life, and have tried to institute adjustments in my daily living (and general outlook on life) to alleviate what I have considered to be problematic.  I am probably more “me” than I’ve ever been before, and I’m very proud of having gotten to this very moment, with all the difficulties it brought with it.

I would hope that a year from now, the word that best describes my 2011 would be “secure.”  The growth that 2010 demanded stemmed from extreme moments of crippling fear.  The growth that ensued cast away much of those fears that had been with me most of my life.  But because fears don’t fall to the wayside over night, it is my hope that every day I continue to build upon and feel within myself a more secure sense of who I am and where I am going. Life is full of uncertainties, heartbreak and hardships. While there is no stopping that, I can always help my situation–whatever it is–by being as secure as I possibly can within myself. With security brings comfort, and with comfort brings love that I will have for me and for those around me.