Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
In some ways this has been the most amazing year of my life.
I've also been trying to look at each new day that way as long as nothing too negative happens.
Because, each new day is a collection of all the previous days and memories and in that light I've been able to look at life in an even more positive way.
One of the main things to report is that I've been making significant progress healing the OCD I've dealt with for so long.
I'm still not 100% cured and I'm not sure if that's possible, but... I'm doing better than I thought I would be and when I look back at how I used to be, I feel so grateful that I was able to find the courage and strength to challenge myself and reflect and face my fears as much as I have.
It's been such a major difference, it's hard to believe sometimes when I think about how far I've come in the last few years, life is so much more enjoyable now!
One of the other main things to report is the super special adventures I've been doing and the more I think about it, so much of these adventures would not be possible if I didn't heal my OCD as much as I have.
It really is quite a time for me to be doing all that plus spending more time with my family and helping out around the house more and getting a bunch of other stuff done that's been waiting for a while.
The adventures have changed my life for sure, they have also helped me to face some fears and I think that's helped with the OCD too.
Some of this stuff has been a lil scary being decently far out in nature alone by myself and sometimes I climb up some pretty steep mountains and there have been numerous other experiences which made me quite nervous, anxious and afraid.
Yet, the benefits have been far outweighing the fears and so I keep pursuing this quest to learn as much as I can and I kind of feel like I'm finally growing up and becoming a "man" even though I'm a lil over 40 years old.
Though... Mental illness can do that to you and it's crazy to think about how much time and other important things OCD has taken from me or that I lost.
Despite all that adversity, in my own life and what I see in others and what's happening in the broader world... I've still managed to somehow become the happiest I've ever been in my life.
I never thought that was possible back when I was depressed. I felt hopeless and like there was no way out.
This has been quite a comeback sort of story, however... There's still a long ways to go!
I actually think that is probably my biggest accomplishment in life, is simply just learning to love myself more and forgive myself and accept myself and by extension I am able to do that more with others as well.
Self love is truly I think the magic ingredient which has led to everything else positive in my life happening, if I didn't learn to love myself more... It's scary to think of where I would be right now... I wonder if I would even still be alive? If so, it wouldn't be a good place to be because I wished I was dead for 8 years and I wouldn't wish that on anyone... That's no way to live.
If there is a "most important thing" in life, then... I think it is probably "Self Love". For if we don't love ourselves enough... Why even persist? And then on top of that we tend to treat others and the Universe itself in a way that is in accordance with that low vibrational energy.
And... That just doesn't seem conducive for the most happy and healthy life, I know some negativity is part of the equation, yet... I don't think we should "live there" or "stay there too long" in the negative energy.
Anyways... I have a feeling this upcoming year is going to be one of the most wild, fascinating and amazing years of my life.
There's a lot going on and I look forward to sharing more in the not too distant future!
Tons of love always. - Love Paul
Merry Christmas to you, you are a good person, I will always say that and I am convinced of this.
A hug
Thank you! Likewise even though I already said it in the OP, and... I think you're a good person too! Hope you have a great New year!