"Everything you want lies on the other side of fear" - is a notion to live by, not just in the new year but NOW. I have been in love with photography for a while, but it is only recently that I have made a conscious decision to pursue it more seriously. I began taking classes, reading articles, and participating in contests like this. I realized that while I enjoyed taking photos I was afraid of being criticized and rejected. It is time for me to step out of my comfort zone and take a leap.