One of my Better Years

I know people always say this at the end of a year, but 2012 really was one of the best years in my life. However, I, unlike other people, do not throw this term "best years of my life" around lightly. In fact, the only other years I described as the best years of my life are 1999 and 2007. Both of which had events that happened to me then that caused 2012 to be one of the best years of my life. 

So, why was 2012 such a great year for me that it stands out from so many other years of my life? 

Because it was the year that I started doing things that I always wanted to do. I traveled through Europe, I went skydiving, I finally went to a Harry Potter conference. I also got to do things that most people don't get to say that they did in their lifetimes—I graduated from a university and helped to break a world record. I met so many people and grew closer to friends I already had. 

And sure, there were some down times, especially during the last month or month and a half of the year but I should not let that define my year like I was starting to do in my mind about a week ago. I did things that fulfilled the imagination of 9 year old kid and reached the goals of an overly excited high schooler. So of course, it was one of the best years of my life. 

While all the things that I did contributed to why it was one of the best years of my life (ok let's be real, it is the main reason), there is the fact that by doing all of these things, it opened up the opportunity to do them again in the future and gave me the feeling that I can do whatever I want to do as long as I put my mind to the task. I know now that I can travel on my own and that it will be alright. Not just that, but I want to keep traveling even more and more. That is something that I would not have realized if I did not do it this year. And honestly, that is what caused 1999 and 2007 to the best years of my life as well. I visited Egypt with my family and discovered Harry Potter in 1999. The visit to Egypt sparked my interest in wanting to travel the world and the discovery of Harry Potter shaped my personality. Looking at those events on their own, they seem insignificant but they allowed for greater things to happen later. The same goes for 2007. I started college at the University of Tennessee and started really getting into YouTube. Two things that shaped the friendships that I have and inspired me to not just stick with the status quo even though that might be the easy thing to do.

So now I sit and think back on 2012 and I know that it is not likely that 2013 or any year soon will top it...and that is absolutely fine. Because, I know that what I did this past year will inspire me to do things this year and in the years to come that I may not have done. And while these things that I am going to do in the future may not be as exciting, they will be more exciting than what would have been if not for this year's experiences.