For your reading pleasure {and for selfish therapeutic reasons} here are 25 lessons I've learned in my 25 years on Earth.
1) You are you. You are not your best friend. You are not your enemy. You are not the girl you work with. Stop trying to be someone else and embrace what God has blessed you with.
2) Don't stop looking for things you are passionate about. And when you do find them, go balls to the wall!
3) Quality over quantity. Always. This rings true when it comes to men, jewelry, mixed drinks, sets of sheets, friends, clothes, and calories.
4) Mom is right more often than you want to admit. Just go ahead and give in. You'll be the right mom 30 years down the road.
5) Think about just how HUGE this world is. Think of all the people, all of the animals, all of the plants, all of the hurt, all of the suffering, and all of the joy. Rather than feel insignificant, just know that you are meant to be where you are and you're doing just fine.
6) Everything happens for a reason. Trust in this.
7) Keep moving - you'll have time to be a slug later in life. For now, get off the couch, go for a bike ride, join your man on a motorcycle ride, and stay active! Your body will thank you.
8) Nobody owes you anything. Don't act like you're entitled to anything. If you work hard and be kind, things will play out just fine.
9) Comparison really is the thief of joy. So try not to be too jealous of the girl with always perfect hair or the long legs - you're not doing yourself any favors thinking like that.
10) Finding a pair of jeans that fits perfectly is next to impossible. Don't give up trying but also don't be surprised when this same thing pops up on your "50 Lessons for 50 Years" list...
11) Tell your loved ones that you love them. Spend time with them and cherish those moments. Who knows, they may be around for years upon years but in the tragic situation that they aren't you don't want to have any regrets.
12) And on the same token, soak up as much knowledge from your mom as you can. One day in the {hopefully} distant future, she'll be gone and you won't be able to ask her the name of your first pet, why home improvements take sixteen times longer than anticipated, or what to do with all the zucchini in your garden. Gather as much parenting advice as you can because - let's face it - you're going to need it when that time rolls around and she has 25 years on you. Heck, she kept you alive for the first 18 years of your life so she's got to know something about parenting...
13) Continue your adventure. Don't forget to include your husband -he'd be pretty ticked if you took off to Jamaica without him.
14) Drink more water. Eat more vegetables. Get more sleep. Basically, just take care of your body. After all, it's the only one you've got!
15) Be real. You don't need fake eyelashes. Or a chevron pillow. Or that weird fuzzy nail polish. That stuff isn't you. Screw the fads!
16) You are beautiful. Yes, even when you look in the mirror and only see your chubby cheeks, your flat hair, and your bigger-than-average thighs. You can thank your Oma for that - she is in you and her legacy will live on for generations to come.
17) Your kind heart will move mountains. Think of the lives you've touched, the patients you've cared for, and the families you've helped. You've improved their quality of life, you've answered hard questions, and you've been empathetic to their situations. They thank you.
18) Sitting with a patient or their family and crying along side them is never wrong. The lady in 204 may not understand why her 9:00 am pill doesn't come until 9:15 am and the surgical nurses may be waiting for you with the gentleman in 216... but the time you spend opening your heart to those who need it is well spent. And sometimes, you'll find your heart heals a little bit when you do this, so make time for it.
19) Never stop looking for things to learn.
20) The little things in life really are the most important.
21) Save money and make smart financial choices. But every now and then you have my permission to buy that skirt/nail polish/purse that you don't actually need, no matter how hard you try to convince yourself.
22) Limit the amount of time you spend online. Facebook is great and all, but that evening stroll with your husband is even sweeter.
23) Learn to take responsibility for everything you do. Didn't take out the garbage this week? You're gonna have to haul it all out next week and deal with a stinky garage until then. Want to go back to school? You're gonna have to find the money to make that happen.
24) Learn to receive grace and learn to be graceful.
25) You are never too old to have fun. Don't take yourself too seriously. Make time to be silly and laugh until your belly hurts.
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