come as you are

I'm participating in a 31-day blogging challenge called reverb10, responding to writing prompts that are designed to elicit reflections on 2010, and hopes for 2011. You can find out more about it here. I am challenging myself to respond to each prompt in 15 minutes or less.

Today's challenge: Lesson Learned – What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year? And how will you apply that lesson going forward?

come as you are

I learned that transparency and honesty are not the same thing. That I like things on a very human scale. That I love to hug people and be hugged. That fat is a protective device. That I am invested in stories that no longer serve me. That I want to write more, again. That I need help. That we are all actively dying. That people are human and humans are animals and we are all only one step away from making animal decisions. That judging people by their actions is not all we can do. That I am always in choice. That kindness is always the best option. That I want to be remembered as kind and generous more than anything else. That I would have more money if I cared about money more. That saying yes means saying yes to myself which often looks and sounds like 'no' to others. That I missed going to Tybee Island this summer. That I have enough time in every day. That I miss making art. That I miss writing. That I miss my freckles. That I miss people. That death can be a relief. That illness is for stepping into. That Tess is doing the best she can. That I could do better. That I need to simply come as I am.