A lot has changed...

...in the past month or two.

When I say, "changed," I don't necessarily mean that many significant events have happened (although there have been a few). What I mean is that some circumstances have been altered and collectively, they have changed me as a person.

Most of this change revolves around the issue of self-awareness. I once considered myself a unique, complex individual who was so elusive that even I could not figure myself out.

Now I cannot help but cringe at that.

Recently I've realized that I know myself pretty well. Complexities aside, I know my own thoughts and can interpret my own feelings. I am now willing to admit to myself my likes and dislikes, and everything to which I am indifferent. Perhaps most importantly, I no longer deny when I'm in denial.

There are a number of contributors to this newly found self-awareness. Foremost, I made a bit of a resolution to be more honest with myself and with God...it's better this way.

Also, many quality conversations with good friends lately have forced me to hold up a mirror to my own face...and I was surprised to find that I recognized myself.

Unexpectedly, Third-Year Writing, a general education requirement at Belmont, has really got me thinking about myself (not that I'm lacking in introspection...). I was originally wary of the class; I imagined having to write fifteen-page research monstrosities and random topic analyses every week. I was relieved to find that most of the writing would be about ourselves, because no matter how bland, boring, or otherwise uninteresting the details of my everyday life may be, I know I can write about myself.

"Why is this, exactly?" I asked myself.

It was a pretty simple answer: "Because I know myself."

I am completely aware of how individualist and self-involved this sounds, but I don't mean for it to be like that. It's just the truth about what I'm thinkin', wheelin', and dealin'.

There are so many things that I need to write about... and not just about myself.

Good stuff is happenin'. Yeh'd best believe it.