One of the secrets to life is that if you don’t feel like sharing something, you don’t have to. Privacy is always yours if you (sweetly) set boundaries and follow them.

One thing that I've noticed about myself lately (and certainly in the last year or so) is that I've become a much more private person. Part of it might be that we're all so connected online now that it seems wise to manage your online persona --consider the diverse range of potential audiences that might find you online (*note* potential employers for fresh graduates), or the fact that your silly, passing comment leaves a digital trail for better or for worse. We've all seen the power of social media to create revolutions, end political careers, generate negative PR/branding and so forth. To me, it just seems smart to monitor what I write.

I don't know if this is a consequence of, or something that just also happened but I've noticed that I've become more private in my personal relationships as well. This I would attribute to many things: growing up, recognizing that many of my social circles have intertwined, becoming confident in my ability to deal with things without sound-boarding it against every single one of my girlfriends (and select guy friends), realizing that I may be influencing others' perceptions of people in my life through what I have to say, and overall, because there are things that don't need to be said.

Like I've said, I've been aware of the change in myself for a while now. It's been interesting to think about. 

(This text, which I found on the Internet, is attributed to me . I did not write it, but I think worth reproducing here)

I’ve learned that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is be someone who can be loved. The rest is up to them;
I’ve learned that no matter how much I care, some people just don’t care back;
I’ve learned that it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it.
I’ve learned that you can get by on charm, for about fifteen minutes. After that, you’d better know something;
I’ve learned that either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I’ve learned that no matter how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take it’s place.
I’ve learned that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you’re downhill are the ones to help you get back up.
I’ve learned that sometimes when I’m angry I have the right to be angry.
I’ve learned that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
I’ve learned that just because someone doesn’t love you the way you want them to doesn’t mean that they don’t love you with all they have.
I’ve learned that maturity had more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had and what you’ve learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.
I’ve learned that your family won’t always be there for you.
I’ve learned that no matter how good a friend is, they’re going to hurt you every once in a while.
I’ve learned that it isn’t always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to forgive yourself.
I’ve learned that no matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn’t stop for your grief.
I’ve learned that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I’ve learned that just because two people argue, it doesn’t mean they don’t love each other. And just because they don’t argue, it doesn’t mean they do.
I’ve learned that we don’t have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
I’ve learned that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
I’ve learned that no matter how you try to protect your children, they will eventually get hurt and you will get hurt in the process.
I’ve learned that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don’t even know you.
I’ve learned that it’s hard to determine where to draw the line between being nice and not hurting people’s feelings and standing up for what you believe.

I really want this.

Setting a reward to purchase this for myself if I achieve all my financial goals for 2012