Dirty 30?

It was the tumultuous teens followed by the traumatic twenties so what the hell are my 30s going to be....all joking aside I am looking forward to the next decade and all that will bring to my life. 

My 20s weren't all drama and tears but they had there share of ups and downs and if I were able to sit down for a coffee with my 20 year old self during one or any part of the roller coaster I would give her some simple advice that I know I had heard before.

"Everything happens for a reason, its hard to see through to the other side of the storm but believe and trust that you will make it through. You might be a little less idealistic, maybe even a little cynical but you will be stronger, wiser and better in so many ways.  Give yourself time to figure things out and don't rush so much, let your life unfold in front of you and have fun.  It will work out. Trust me!"

Easy to say now.  Now that I am on the other side of the nasty breakup, years away from the teaching assignment that almost made me quit and spending significantly less time on the bar scene looking for Mr. Right.  Easy to say now.  Now that I am healing more each day after the loss of a dear friend, realizing how important a supportive family is and understanding that the pursuit of happiness is more complicated than you think.  Easy to say now that I survived!

Here is to the Dirty 30's? maybe not!