Throughout our life stages, we change. We grow up, we change physically, emotionally and mentally. We learn what we do and don't like, who we don't and don't like, and what we do or don't want to become. It's scary not knowing what the future you will look like. It's equally as scary to know really know who the past you was. But what I do know is I was not the same person I was a year ago, 6 months ago, or even a month ago. As life courses through its phases, so do we, which is a part of getting older.

I think the biggest thing that changes as we get older is our maturity level. And with that comes learning to surround yourself with the people that affect you in a positive way. The immature relationships filter themselves out while the more mature relationships grow stronger. I'm not just talking about significant others, but ultimately the relationships you have with everyone within your life. I can honestly say that there are people from high school, to a year ago, to even a couple months ago that I do not regularly communicate with like I thought I would. It's about what makes me the better person. Maturing is about surrounding yourself with the people that will really benefit your life.

With growing up and changing also changes you into the person that you're ultimately meant to be. Within the last year, I've become politically informed enough to make the most educated decision on who I think would lead the country to a better future as President of the United States. A year ago, I wouldn't have been mature enough to do that, and I can say that with all honesty.

Within the past year, I've decided how I want to live my life in relationship to Jesus. Before, I would rarely attend church. Nowadays, I look forward to going to church. It's all a part of me changing and maturing this past year.

I've also learned that I've wanted to major in, which is a completely different major that I went into college studying. And I'm finally excited about it.

Ultimately, I don't know who I was a year ago, and quite frankly, I wish to never go back. But I don't dwell on the past. I look past what I've done and who I was, and now I look forward to who I will become. I was not the same person I was a year ago, and I'm glad for that because I'm maturing into the person I'm suppose to become.