DailyBlog: What Makes Me Proud?

*** The first three books in my six-part dystopian series have officially made their way out into the world! Check them out!
For the sake of blogging, self-exploration, and contemplation, I’ve been slowly making my way through answering questions from this list

Today’s Question: What have you done in the last year that makes you proud?

I don’t know that I can list off specific examples, but I will say that I’m satisfied with the choices I’ve been making, and I’ve been trying very hard to be a good person, and to be true to myself.

Recently, I found myself in a position where I had a choice to make. I found out that someone I care about and respect was getting used and manipulated by someone else. I could have easily said “it’s not my business.” I generally make a point these days of not involving myself in the drama of other people, life is so much more peaceful that way. Also, telling this person what I had discovered could end up having unfavorable fall-out consequences for me. I put some serious thought into what the right thing to do would be. I strongly felt that in this situation, the person deserved to know. If I were in their shoes, I’d want to know, and I’d also be hurt if I found out that a friend knew and didn’t tell me.

I took this person out for a few drinks and carefully discussed the situation with her.

I did this knowing that even though the situation had nothing to do with me, the outcome/fall-out could end up affecting me. I made the choice to tell her anyway because I felt that what she deserved was more important than what I wanted. It caused me to look back on all of the times that people hurt me in order to get what they wanted. That they were willing to take something from me in order to serve themselves. I don’t ever want to be like that. I don’t want to be that kind of person, and I certainly don’t want to be that kind of friend to someone else.

I feel that I made the right choice, and I’m proud that I’m a better friend to others than people have been to me in the past. I’m proud that I’m able to take such hurtful situations that I truly and greatly struggled with, and learn to use them in a positive way, but reminding myself of what and who I never want to be. So, what have I done in the last year that’s made me proud? I’ve made decisions based on compassion, empathy, and my gut, no matter what, and I’ve stuck by the decisions that I have made with honesty and integrity. I’m not a perfect person, not even close, but I try very hard to leave a positive imprint on the world, and I feel like for the most part, I’m doing a good job. I’m proud of myself for that.