The spark of life is change, let it warm you.

It's a new year, wow, it is remarkable how fast time flies. It is the beginning of January, year 2011, a year I thought was still lightyears away. "2011" has been looming in the back of my mind since high school, these four numbers collectively signify the year I graduate college. When I take a look back at 2010, a surplus of emotions and visual memories flood my mind. 2010 was the most exciting and challenging year of my life. I left a wonderfully comfortable life in California to live in Spain for 5 months at this time last year. And when I came back, I faced intensely challenging school courses and experienced immense changes in my personal life. And yet here I am, trying to hide a sheepish smile and shaking my head in awe at the memories of last year. I. got. through. it. all.

Change is inevitable, and though it can make life seem unnecessarily challenging at times, it is the wave that pushes us forward. That wave can be welcomed and grasped with an open mind and excited heart, or it can completely wash over you, leaving you a little drudged and silenced in shock. Take a moment to look at your life, and pick out a few special moments where you really saw yourself grow into the person you are today. Were those moments predictable? Did you know what was coming and were you prepared? Or did they just fall into your lap, unexpectedly, but soon enough, welcomed?

Think back to when you were younger, a child even. I used to spend a lot of time imagining my future, where I would be and who I would spend my time with. At that curious time in my life, my excitement to grow up could not be contained. I thought I was unstoppable, and would handle every obstacle with such ease and grace that any negative outcomes were far from my mind. Remember that pleasureful happiness and questioning?

As we enter 2011, let us try to be mindful of our experiences. Let us not take life for granted, but rather, embrace every opportunity and obstacle with the innocent motif of our childhood. I once read that "the secret to genius is to carry the spirit of childhood into maturity". Let us strive to be the best that we can, encompassing both our present selves with our past, inquisitive selves.