Forty-Two Lessons Learned
Today as I embark on my 42nd year on this Earth I thought it might be fun to celebrate by sharing 42 things I have learned along the way and not necessarily in chronological order. Since I am not one to reinvent the wheel, feel free to borrow, tweak, and make use of any of the following. Oh, and who knows, depending on how this turns out it might just become a yearly tradition. :)
1. Climbing trees and making mud pies is good for the soul. (And Mom, I never broke my arm swinging from our old willow tree so all that worry was for nothing.)
2. Never eat with your mouth open. Not only is it rude, but it's a waste of good food.
3. Even when your heart breaks, which sometimes it does, it does mend bigger and stronger than before.
4. Never under estimate the power of forgiveness, especially of one's own self.
5. Approaching a situation with a child-like curiosity creates a completely different perspective.
6. An open heart really does lead to an open mind.
7. Forty-two is not too old to turn cartwheels or do the splits.
8. Granny panties might be great for avoiding panty lines, but they're not all that pretty no matter how much lace they have on them. (No offense meant to anyone who wears them. They are comfy; I'll give you that.)
9. Dust bunnies can be the size of a small dog or large rodent. (Especially if you have a dog that sheds her own body weight in hair on a daily basis.)
10. Music is like a box of crayons for the soul. A day without music (IMHO) is a day without color.
11. Being in the present moment is the most perfect place in the world to be. For it's in the present moment where all the real juicy goodness happens.
12. Milk may do a body good, but so does copping an attitude of gratitude.
13. The brain, while a truly amazing marvel, cannot think positive and negative thoughts at the same time.
14. You can spend a gazillion dollars to beautify your outside, but it's your inside that truly counts. If you aren't feeling it on the inside, no amount of money will help you to feel it on the outside.
15. Children have a wonderful way of holding you accountable. (I have the most amazing accountability agent on the planet! Thank you, Son. I love you bunches!!)
16. Being vulnerable does not make you weak, it actually makes you stronger.
17. Being a strong woman does not compromise your ability to be soft and feminine.
18. High heels might be pretty, but they can be murder on the feet. (Especially when standing in them for more than two hours.)
19. Worrying what others think of you only holds you hostage and keeps you from being who you truly are.
20. Cheese does not age gracefully or tastefully when left in the fridge for several months. (Grilled cheese sandwich anyone?)
21. Always share and give from the heart with no expectations or strings attached.
22. "Thank you" and "I love you" are truly magically phrases, especially when they come from the heart.
23. If you're getting lots of stares it may be because A) you have toilet paper coming out the back of your trousers or B) because your skirt got tucked up inside your sweater and you're flashing your undies unknowingly. (Never had Option A happen and my lips are sealed about Option B.)
24. Your gut instinct is right so don't second guess it.
25. Fear really does live in the future and in the past.
26. Drinking hot chocolate while laughing creates nasal geysers not to mention a mess on the table.
27. Being in a funk can be a great indicator that an internal growth spurt is on its way. Embrace the funk.
28. Disco is good music to clean to. (Need I say more?)
29. From all crappy situations come valuable lessons to be learned and something to be grateful for.
30. Coming up with 42 things learned is really not as easy as it looks.
31. Singing loudly in the car or shower is a great way to lift a mood.
32. Sometimes it really is not what you say, but how you say it.
33. Random acts of kindness do make a difference.
34. Gossiping says more about the person gossiping than it does about the person being gossiped about.
35. A day without coffee is a day with a major headache.
36. Words are forever and can never be taken back.
37. My heart is the greatest asset I have.
38. If you're going to dream, you might as well dream big and in Technicolor.
39. Intuitiveness is a beautiful thing.
40. What *they* say (whoever "they" is) is true; the best way to learn is to teach.
41. Walking my own walk is more important than talking the talk.
AND
42. The most important thing I have learned is how truly blessed I am. The last 42 years have been filled with a great deal of joy, happiness, love, wonderful people, awesome experiences (both good and bad) fun moments, tears, growth, change, prosperity and so much more. I am grateful beyond words and look forward to the next 50+ years of positive lessons to be learned.
1. Climbing trees and making mud pies is good for the soul. (And Mom, I never broke my arm swinging from our old willow tree so all that worry was for nothing.)
2. Never eat with your mouth open. Not only is it rude, but it's a waste of good food.
3. Even when your heart breaks, which sometimes it does, it does mend bigger and stronger than before.
4. Never under estimate the power of forgiveness, especially of one's own self.
5. Approaching a situation with a child-like curiosity creates a completely different perspective.
6. An open heart really does lead to an open mind.
7. Forty-two is not too old to turn cartwheels or do the splits.
8. Granny panties might be great for avoiding panty lines, but they're not all that pretty no matter how much lace they have on them. (No offense meant to anyone who wears them. They are comfy; I'll give you that.)
9. Dust bunnies can be the size of a small dog or large rodent. (Especially if you have a dog that sheds her own body weight in hair on a daily basis.)
10. Music is like a box of crayons for the soul. A day without music (IMHO) is a day without color.
11. Being in the present moment is the most perfect place in the world to be. For it's in the present moment where all the real juicy goodness happens.
12. Milk may do a body good, but so does copping an attitude of gratitude.
13. The brain, while a truly amazing marvel, cannot think positive and negative thoughts at the same time.
14. You can spend a gazillion dollars to beautify your outside, but it's your inside that truly counts. If you aren't feeling it on the inside, no amount of money will help you to feel it on the outside.
15. Children have a wonderful way of holding you accountable. (I have the most amazing accountability agent on the planet! Thank you, Son. I love you bunches!!)
16. Being vulnerable does not make you weak, it actually makes you stronger.
17. Being a strong woman does not compromise your ability to be soft and feminine.
18. High heels might be pretty, but they can be murder on the feet. (Especially when standing in them for more than two hours.)
19. Worrying what others think of you only holds you hostage and keeps you from being who you truly are.
20. Cheese does not age gracefully or tastefully when left in the fridge for several months. (Grilled cheese sandwich anyone?)
21. Always share and give from the heart with no expectations or strings attached.
22. "Thank you" and "I love you" are truly magically phrases, especially when they come from the heart.
23. If you're getting lots of stares it may be because A) you have toilet paper coming out the back of your trousers or B) because your skirt got tucked up inside your sweater and you're flashing your undies unknowingly. (Never had Option A happen and my lips are sealed about Option B.)
24. Your gut instinct is right so don't second guess it.
25. Fear really does live in the future and in the past.
26. Drinking hot chocolate while laughing creates nasal geysers not to mention a mess on the table.
27. Being in a funk can be a great indicator that an internal growth spurt is on its way. Embrace the funk.
28. Disco is good music to clean to. (Need I say more?)
29. From all crappy situations come valuable lessons to be learned and something to be grateful for.
30. Coming up with 42 things learned is really not as easy as it looks.
31. Singing loudly in the car or shower is a great way to lift a mood.
32. Sometimes it really is not what you say, but how you say it.
33. Random acts of kindness do make a difference.
34. Gossiping says more about the person gossiping than it does about the person being gossiped about.
35. A day without coffee is a day with a major headache.
36. Words are forever and can never be taken back.
37. My heart is the greatest asset I have.
38. If you're going to dream, you might as well dream big and in Technicolor.
39. Intuitiveness is a beautiful thing.
40. What *they* say (whoever "they" is) is true; the best way to learn is to teach.
41. Walking my own walk is more important than talking the talk.
AND
42. The most important thing I have learned is how truly blessed I am. The last 42 years have been filled with a great deal of joy, happiness, love, wonderful people, awesome experiences (both good and bad) fun moments, tears, growth, change, prosperity and so much more. I am grateful beyond words and look forward to the next 50+ years of positive lessons to be learned.
Comments
MikeDidIt said...
I enjoyed your list Pam. I think I'll make a similar list on my birthday. Mine will have a few more than yours :)
08/04/2009
Pam said...
Thank you, Mike! Have fun with your list and do feel free to share it. :)
08/04/2009
MikeDidIt said...
By the way, Pam, I know that your lips are sealed regarding #23B, but I wonder if the granny panties (from #8) were involved? Just checking :)
Mike
08/04/2009
Pam said...
Oh, I'll never tell! LOL :D
08/04/2009