Year's End Smiles

 

 

As 2012 draws to a close, I'm ending the year with a huge smile on my face. All things considered, it's been a very good year for me. Rather than harbor regrets over the end, I'm confident of even better days and times in 2013. I honestly can't remember feeling this positive about the calendar change ever before in my life. I'm hoping this is a sign that from here on, it will be uphill all the way. As a matter of fact, I know life is going to be good!

 

The main cause of my exuberance is my new attitude. I shared this aspect of my personality several weeks ago: up until this past year, I've always been very shy. Not about my nudity, but about me. I've never harbored any modesty about being naked with others. Strange, but it has always been extremely difficult for me to make new friends or to even have a routine conversation with others, no matter the situation. To be honest, in my four years of college, I had only three guys on campus I consider acquaintances. All three knew that I'm gay. None of them knew that I'm a nudist. I don't think any of them ever knew the names of even one of my three older sisters.  

 

What changed this pattern in my life is my boyfriend. Truthfully, he's the first man that I've been with for more than just a couple of months. This wasn't for lack of trying on my part, all my previous interests simply didn't have the patience to deal with my shyness. My current man just squeezes my hand, puts his arms around my shoulder and reminds me that we'll get through this social encounter, one moment at a time. Believe it or not, that small gesture has given me more strength than any steroid injection could ever provide.

 

This has, in turn, led to me meeting some great men in 2012 that have now become fantastic friends. Three of my new friends have been blogging here on Blogger.com for several years now. They are the reasons that I began this blog last month. Their encouragement, along with that of my boyfriend, opened this new door for me. I'm now at a new place in my life where I know that I can grow beyond my anxiety and my inner shyness. An example: one year ago, I never would muster the courage to write this same paragraph about myself.

Yes, I do get anxious and nervous in social settings, especially when meeting strangers. I'm still not a very outgoing person. What's important is that now I know that I can do this. I know that I want to do this. I'm finding that I actually enjoy being introduced to new men and learning about them. I'm now aware that each man that I meet has the potential of broadening my life experience. Also, I'm doing this with the man that I love standing with me and with the support of my new friends. Yes, life is good and 2013 is going to be a great year, regardless of what happens!

Naked hugs.