accomplishment « Angela Wallace, Author

2012 is here. I don’t normally look back on a year and reflect on it. I don’t stay up till midnight, counting down the seconds until a new year, a new life. The transition is as normal and mundane as Monday going into Tuesday. Yet, this time, I have a lot to reflect on, a lot to be thankful for.

I graduated from my interpreting training program (an accomplishment when you consider the average dropout rate). On the same day, I published my first paranormal romance on Amazon and Smashwords. You can imagine how high on Cloud Nine I was. In the Fall, I found work in my field (also an accomplishment in today’s economy), published my second novel, and wrote the first draft of its sequel.

Plus, the arrival of January marks the four-month milestone of my being 100% gluten free, something I never thought would happen. When I finally went off the gluten back in August because of a health scare, I didn’t think I’d last one month. I certainly never expected to make it to the new year. Not only did I make it, but I’m not even tempted to break faith. Bring on five months of gluten-free. Six. Maybe even a year. I’m an addict who’s finally been freed from those chains, though I know it will be a decision every single day not to go back on it. But what I’ve told myself and come to believe is “I don’t need it.”

So, despite some major health setbacks, this year has been very blessed and prosperous. I don’t know what 2012 will hold, though already some major challenges are before me. Even if I’m about to enter the desert or the fire, I know my God is with me. He is gracious and merciful, and His promises are true. This time, I am not afraid to learn faith. After all, He didn’t let me down this year.