Early morning January 1, 2016:

It’s been a year since I started making entries to this journal. Happy birthday journal! I’ve learned a lot about myself. I am feeling very different today than I was even a year ago. It’s actually feeling like everything is culminating in what I have written right now within my spirit. I know I have had a lot of difficulties this past year. Asking for your forgiveness. Knowing that I am human too. Please know though that I am striving and have been on that continual journey to improve myself for the entire duration of this year. That was and is the purpose of this journal. For the most part, I am happy and proud with the man I have become now. But I am not content. I intend to continue to work on myself. So, today was the third day of my fast. Tonight has been a very difficult evening on my fast. This evening, I had two nectarines, cherries, grapes that turned out to be sour and clementine. Then, I cooked up a pot of corn. It’s New Year’s Eve. I wanted to order some food but I chose not to. These next few are also going to be a difficult couple of days. As I am going to Niagara. I am going to make sure I don’t go to the casino. Rather, I’m going to see a friend I haven’t seen for some time. Should be fun. Also, went to the gym a couple of days ago. Then I went on that coffee date. I feel it went well and she was really cool. I texted the woman with whom I had coffee the morning after. I heard back from her this morning and she wants to meet again! I’m feeling blessed with great friends today. My buddy invited me to Settler’s of Catan, a board game, at his place on Sunday. He also invited me to see Star Wars. Even when it’s hard to find the words, I’ll only sing your praise. Thank you Jesus for the past year, for leading me to where I am now and for your beautiful, amazing grace. Even when it hurts like hell, I’ll praise you. Happy New Year. Let’s make this year about love!