2003. Another year gone by. A fast one.

2004. A New Year is upon us. Change.

The new year, by it's nature, is a great time for change. For new dreams. New commitments. New goals.

Every New Year I see it reflected in my club by the huge number of people buying new memberships. People who are making their resolutions for a new year. For a new them. For change.

But what of the year past, 2003? Gone and not remembered?

In order to grow in the New Year we must reflect on the last. Specifically, I mean to look back and see where we've come from, how we were a year ago. What were we like when 2002 ended? What changes did we wish for then and what did we accomplish now a year later? Did we learn anything from this last year? Did we get anywhere?

I reflect alot. I like to take time to do self analysis. How is Stefan feeling today? This week? This year?

Lately events in my life have been like a storm, full of excitement, but from which I am longing for the calm at it's passing. (Or at least if it won't pass then I'll look for my peace in the eye of it.) And when I get my quiet moment, I'm going to think, and think deep on 2003. I know I am a much different man than I was a year ago. This year has brought great challenges in my life. Challenges which brought periods of labor and stress where I'm out of my comfort zone. But because of these periods, I have changed again.

In my life, these turbulent periods have become a process that occurs time and again. At earlier ages, when I went through tough periods, I thought sometimes that the stress was unbearable and I wished it would go away. And eventually it would. But then, when I was ready for my next growth, it would come again. And again I would be way out of my comfort zone. Again, I didn't like it. But after a few times of this, I started to pick up on something. Every time I went through this period I managed it a little better than the last time. I was getting stronger at handling it.

Soon, I became able to recognize these periods when they came. And now I've actually come to enjoy the time spent in them. They have become vital to me. I wouldn't have what I have today, or be who I've become today without them.

And without more of them coming, I won't achieve what I will achieve, and I won't become who I will be. I won't acheive my full growth.

So to reflect.

2003 - I embrace you and I thank you for the knowledge gained and the lessons learned, hard and soft.

Happy New Year