It has been yet another challenging year for me.  During the summer, I was feeling good about myself being included in a group, and then months later has led into another disappointment.  But I have gained more experience for building relationships with people, learned from my past mistakes, and have not given up on myself with the support of my family and “true friends” I have today.  I am confident to take the next road that will lead to success.

As the year comes to an end, I should look back on the positive things.  I completed 24 sessions with a physical trainer.  That was helpful for me to reduce anxiety and get in better shape.  I was actually able to beat my 9-year niece in arm wrestling. :)  I took my first trip alone to New York City.  It was something adventurous that I had never done before and I’m proud of myself for doing it.  The New York trip has built up confidence in me to get out more and try different things.  I have done some volunteer work but I didn’t do as much as I should have.  At the very least, I started something and plan to pursue more in the new year.

During the past several months, my hearing loss community has continued to grow.  I made new friends along the way from all over the country.  It has been the most rewarding thing I have ever done by helping people in a community.  I’m getting more involved with the hearing loss chapter group here in Milwaukee.  I’ve taken the role of being a volunteer coordinator for Milwaukee Walk4Hearing in May 2009.  This is a job I had also never done before.  It will be a good experience for me especially when it comes to social interaction.

I believe the year 2010 will be a turning point in my life.  My plans for the New Year will bring good things and the dreams I have will come true.  I will work hard to become more active; whether joining a class, getting involved in activities, or doing some volunteer work.  The key is to find what you’re interested at and not stay home doing nothing.

I am excited to start the New Year.

I think life is too precious to be wasted on doing things that really don’t matter.  During the past few years, I found myself doing things that don’t make any difference.  I’ve talked to several nice people online but haven’t had much success in the physical world.  I’ve gone through many different online social networking sites hoping that I would meet someone and make new friends.  Then I realized doing the same type of thing isn’t going to get me anywhere.

As for the summer, I’ve been looking at doing some volunteer work.  I also plan to attend the hearing loss chapter meeting in my area.  I’m hoping these will give me the opportunity to make my life more interesting while helping others, and hopefully find friends to hang out with.  I’ve also been trying so hard to meet a nice girl to spend time with.

I’ve had many bad experiences in the past with broken friendships and not being included in social activities, but I have to move forward and put those experiences behind me.  I believe all of this takes confidence and a positive outlook, so that’s what I’m working on.

I will continue to share my experiences with my readers.

As always, thanks for reading, and feel free to share your stories and ideas.

I was feeling down for not having any special plans on New Year’s Eve.  During that night, I was thinking about myself being unsocial and not having many friends.  But then, just before the new year, my thoughts became positive and I realized how lucky I am and how much progress I have made. 

I’m lucky to have a roof over my head, a secure job in this struggling economy, a wonderful family, good health, new friends, and I’m finally realizing that my past is just that, my past, and that I control ‘the now.’ That has probably been my biggest struggle.

I have also worked very hard during the past several months; I have attended more social events, created an online hearing loss community, made some new friends from a church group, and last week I joined a health club which has really helped lower my anxiety and raise my confidence.

I have more progress planned for the new year, mainly focused on finding new social avenues, accepting myself, and fighting off the negative thoughts that never seem to be beneficial. Staying positive is the only way.

Thank you for reading and feel free to share your story.

Happy New Year!

I ordered Chinese food on Friday night that came with a fortune cookie.  I opened it and my fortune was, “Good news will come to you from far away.”  I believe it is happening and will continue happening because of the effort I am putting forth. 

I started my positive venture by building a hearing loss community.  I am meeting lots of interesting people and making new friends.  It makes me feel good about myself to contribute and help others.  It has also helped make me realize that I am not the only one who has had a difficult time dealing with hearing problems.

Another thing I am working on is my social skills.  My first step was to get myself involved in social events.  I joined a church group several months ago and met some very nice people.  The first meeting was over lunch at the Olive Garden, and I was so nervous going there because I did not know anyone, but I had the courage to do this and now I’m feeling more comfortable to get involved in other events.  In fact, I have joined another group that meets this coming weekend, and I’m neverously excited for this to happen.

One more goal of mine is to meet that special someone.  I feel I am in a better place in my life, and now I’m more ready than ever to share my life with someone.  A friend at work told me that it takes longer for some people than others and I should never give up.  Giving up is not part of my vocabulary.

I have learned that you must like yourself for other people to like you, so I will continue to move forward with my goals and stay positive about myself.  I know good things and people are all around me.

I can’t wait to experience whatever comes next.