One Year Closer to the Grave...

Think of all the food we'll save...

Come to think of it, I got the regular Happy Birthday song voice mail this year. Strange...

Anyway. It's true. As of last Thursday I officially embarked on my 24th year of existence (that means I turned 23, for those of you who were confused! I know, it doesn't make sense, but that's how it works apparently).

I've found that a common question that is asked around Birthday's is "So, how does it feel?" My answer this year has been the same as it was in the past: "About the same." But, I've been thinking about it and I've come to realize that there are some pretty important things that have changed. Well, perhaps things haven't changed, per say, perhaps I am just more aware of them than I have been.

As I embark on my 24th year, I feel as though my age level is finally catching up to my maturity level. I'm certainly hoping that one day they will be completely in sync, but so far they have always been a few (or more than a few) years apart. Those of you that know me well will attest: I have always been very mature for my age. I'm not exactly sure why that is (though I do hope to narrow down the reasons eventually), but that's just how it has always been. Now, at 23, I don't feel too young to be doing what I do--professionally and personally.

Aside from that, though, I also want to point out that I am happier at this point in my life than I have ever been. I'm starting realize that the benefit of getting older is having the opportunities to make your own happiness. And I am happy to say that I am at a very excellent point in my life currently. I am married to my best friend (lame cliche, I know, but how else do I say it?), I have a decent job that I mostly enjoy ("mostly" being the operative word ;-)), my relationships with my family members only gets better with time (and they, I think, would agree), and I have an awesome network of friends that provide me with as much fun with as little drama as is humanly possible.

I have a strong suspicion that this profound happiness is a direct result of the fact that I recently decided to stop being so critical of myself. As they say, you can't love anyone else until you learn to love yourself. And guess what? It's true. I've spent the majority of my life telling myself that I'm not good/smart/skinny/pretty/etc. enough to be worthwhile. I never realized how much of a toll that took on my physical and mental well being until I stopped doing it. So now, at 23, I've finally begun to accept myself, and it feels fantastic.

So all in all, it feels great to be 23. I can honestly say that getting older is awesome. I can only hope that I continue to be as happy as I am now. If I'm lucky, life will only get better from here, so that on my 30th, 50th, 90th birthdays I'll be able to say that I am happier than I ever was in the past. Here's to hoping!

P.S. I have awesome pics from Bear Lake--They'll be posted as soon as I get them from the camera to the compy.