I’m making new friends with a girl whom I’m hoping to emulate. She is self-assured and down-to-earth. She is simple and deep. She is who she is and makes (and needs) no excuses. She was a mechanical engineer by trade. (I asked her how she came to that and she replied, “well, I was good at math and science.” So was I, and I decided to be an elementary teacher.) She’s also a musician. She is also a crafter, having sewn and crocheted many Christmas gifts… A well-rounded person? Yes. An inspiration? Definitely.
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about how we sell ourselves short, and give ourselves artificial limitations. I can’t do that . . . Really? why not? I think we all could be better, more amazing, more accomplished, and more complete if we just let ourselves. I believe we would also be a happier people, being thus more fulfilled and less burdened by our own negative self-talk. Deep down, we all know that our potential is great, and that we have near-infinite powers, but the acceptance of this frightens us. If we loosen our tethers, how high could we fly?
This year I have two personal goals. I want to be a more emotionally self-sufficient person. No longer will I allow the words or actions of others dictate my own moods or self-worth. As long as I am okay with the decisions I make, I don’t care what other people think. My second goal is to not use the phrase “I can’t.” There are so many forces in the world that push us down, and I don’t need to do it to myself. My father once said “commit yourself to no mediocre moments.” That is what I intend to do with 2010.
Happy New Year, Happy New You.
BoysRUs 
Happy New Year!
Good luck with the goals! I haven’t thought about what I want to accomplish this year. Too much is still up in the air!
I have had very similar thoughts the last several weeks. I too am trying very hard to “embrace my awesomeness”. Thanks for articulating it so much better than I could.