I've learned numerous things this year as most of us have who make mistakes. Making mistakes is part of the growing process. I will not be repeating these mistakes in the new year. First mistake...spending too much time online. This has become apparent to me over the last few weeks, I have spent WAY too much time in the digital world, I have removed myself from most of these addictive blackholes. My time in SL is also coming to an end, I have little to no reason to be in second life these days, and more importantly I do not have the time to dedicate to that universe. I have also removed myself from most of the other online rpgs I used to participate in because, again, I have no time for them. I still check in from time to time here as I enjoy the artwork and thoughts of people around me, but it is not a priority for me, and there may indeed come a time where I remove myself from this world as well.

Life is too short to spend all of ones time in a world where you cant really even make a difference. So this year I am going to work harder at the real world and not the digital one. I have also learned that there are some very cruel people online and that I am going to be more careful about who I let get close to me because its really not worth the heartache when they betray you. The status of my health no longer allows for these kinds of stress enducing scenes.

Those who are special to me can easily get a hold of me, these are the last of my digital friends, if and when these friendships fade I will not gather more. Trying to weed out good and bad people online is even harder then rl because people are more likely to lie, cheat and steal when there are no real consequences for thier actions. I have no time, or space in my life for these kinds of people, and no desire to weed through the bad to pick out the good. I can however say with all honesty that the few friends I now keep in touch with really are good friends and I treasure each of them for the gifts they bring to my life. I only hope that time doesnt fade these friendships completely as I greatly enjoy talking, laughing and listening to these folks.

I hope that everyone has taken something away with this last year, that everyone has learned a lesson of some sort because when you stop making mistakes you stop learning and when you stop learning you stop growing and you should never stop becoming the best you that you can be. Wishing all of my friends a new year filled with everything you ask for, may you meet and exceed the goals you set forth and create new ones to strive for. Never forget that you are awesome and you can do whatever you set your mind to.