On Turning 24

I got made fun of by my SG friends for being way too excited about my 24th birthday. I mean it was just 24, nothing momentous as say turning 30 or even 25. But for me, it was a big deal. It was a lot different from birthdays past because for one thing, I was more at peace with myself (as compared to the somewhat depressed birthday girl of 2012). It's not hard at all to top 2012 as it was the year I faced hell and high water -- I made the hardest decision of leaving behind a dream to pursue another dream and I got my heart devastatingly broken. But you know what they say, once you hit rockbottom, the only way left is up..

Of course when you're at the bottom of the pit, it's hard to even grasp the possibility of things lighting up, but let me assure you - it will. Probably not the way you expect it to, and most likely not as fast as you'd want to, but it will. I learned that sometimes, the best way to keep afloat is by not struggling against the water and just letting go and letting the ocean (and your natural buoyancy) take you back up. I guess that's the main difference with turning 24 - my (then blind) optimism is actually now supported by concrete instances. My words of rationalization are no longer empty mantras (okay fine, cliches) to help get through the day, they're now reminders of a time when I was down in the dumps and I was able to pull through it.

I'm pretty sure 2013 will not run 100% smoothly, that now and then there'd be waves, both big and small, but last year's thunderstorm has left me more than ready to navigate the tough seas ahead.

And again I end with the same Neil Gaiman birthday wish:

"May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful, and don't forget to make some art -- write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself."

xx
Reg

PS: THANK YOU FOR ALL THE BIRTHDAY GREETINGS ♥
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