2010. The hideous beast of a rollercoaster has past, but it has left its mark. Growing as a person seems to have become compulsory somewhere along the line, and this year is no exception. People say you grow through hard times, they’re right. You do. You are forced to. I find it increasingly difficult to claim that I have gone through hard times when I know I am blessed. I have wealth. Not just financially, but spiritually, in friendships and in family. There is much to be thankful for. So when I talk of hardship I talk of finding one’s place in this world, something which each one of us must do.
At the beginning of 2010 I was filled with anticipation and excitement. I believed this would be the year I find out what God is planning, what’s coming around the corner. God, however, had different plans. I come out of 2010 with even more questions unanswered.
In 2009 I had auditioned for my first movie role. I had fluffed the first audition, but went on to post another online and received a call back. In 2010 I had to accept my first movie NO. At the time I was disappointed, in hindsight I am thankful. The audition process had given me experience I needed to have, and given me confidence to do it again. The role, on the other hand, was not something that would have been good for me for numerous reasons. After much struggle, I got a late call to assist the casting department for the same movie. Again, it was not what I had expected, but I moved mountains to be there and worked hard for no recognition. I can happily say it was a fantastic decision. I got to experience my first set, and to see the boring side, the reality, of making movies. I got to meet amazing people and stay in a beautiful place. I came out of the short time with more knowledge and an intensified passion.
This passion put a heavy struggle on my studies. Accounting at university level has never been even slightly interesting to me, but it has become part of my journey. For reasons God alone knows, I have been sent along this path, and I can only trust it will work out for the best. By God’s grace I completed my degree at the end of this year, and will go on to study honours in the next. There is no doubt in my mind that this is where God wants me to be, I just don’t understand why.
My love of music has had fuel added to its flames. Thanks to some special friends, some of them who I only met this year, I have grown in confidence. I joined the church worship team, and am slowly getting used to singing in public. I have acquired a new interest in the drums, where I sneakily grab sticks after a youth meeting and make some noise, and hope to learn more.
The Soccer World Cup being in our back yard was an experience of a life time. I never got to see a game in the stadium but I got to experience it with thousands of ordinary South Africans on our beautiful beachfront. It forced our government to clean up our beautiful city, and return the beachfront to its glory.
Srizzil has finally found its direction, as a personal portfolio of entertainment for others to enjoy, and is flourishing under its new direction. This year alone I have gained over 13 300 video views across my YouTube channels, a 370% increase over the year before.
I have made many amazing new friends, and lost some along the way. I’ve laughed my heart out, and cried like it could never be put back. I’ve seen God do crazy things, and I’ve spent time with more who refuse to see he exists.
Overall 2010 has been a year of lessons, hard ones, but lessons that I needed to learn. I can only hope 2011 teaches me so much more.
The rain poured down the glass as James sat reading in his chair. He was reading his favourite book, the only book he had ever read and he had read it more than twenty seven times. His parents were out shopping for groceries and he had opted to stay.
