· I'm fairly low key and not feeling combative and argumentative lately. So instead of my regular blog post, I'm going to jump on the "life lessons" bandwagon and share the 34 lessons that, so far, have stuck with me in my 34 years. I know, you're on the edge of your seat, so I'll just let you get started.
Waffles are not just a breakfast food.
· Nothing is black and white. Views might be, but
situations never are. There are a million shades of grey.
· Everyone should own a rain coat and rain boots (at
34 I own my first rain coat, and boots. Pretty ones. I was behind on this one).
· There will be so many people that cross your path
at various stages. Some will stick. Some will just be there to teach you
something. Some will show up just when you need them and disappear until you
need them again. Some will just take what they need and never make the time for
you so don’t worry about making time for
them.
· The batteries in your smoke detector will not,
in fact, change themselves.
· My path is mine and only I know the decisions
that are right for me. If I make a mistake, I shoulder it, learn from it and
move on. But they are my mistakes to make.
· I have responsibility in everything that happens
to me. Everything. Good and bad. What led to a situation, the people involved
in it, or how I react to it-there are zero situations in which I am
responsibility free.
· Most bad days can be cured with a good workout,
a laugh with friends or some quiet meditation. Some bad days can only be cured
by a bottle of wine. I like to follow the 80/20 rule.
·
Nobody likes a complainer. Come with a problem and a solution or shut the hell up.
· “Don’t pass judgment on others until your 100
percent perfect yourself” (Ok, I learned this from the Church of Christ
billboard by my house, but I completely agree).
·
Not everyone has to like you. And you don’t have
to like everyone.
·
Empathy is not a trait that everyone possesses.
·
Forgiveness is for you, not the person you are
forgiving.
·
There are asthma puffers for cats.
· Being nice is harder than being an asshole. But
you’ll always be happier when you brighten other people’s day. Don’t be the one
in the room bringing everyone down.
· Broccoli is not as gross as I thought it was
when I was 12. Brussel sprouts are.
· People will judge you on your ability to spell.
Or use spell check (crap, it’s actually spelled “brussels sprouts”-thank you Google).
· You can spend your life finding the best version
of you. But you can still only be who you are. Surround yourself with people
who appreciate what you bring to the table.
·
I have a sick sense of humor, but I know my
audience and I save it mostly for them. Always know your audience.
· The world does not revolve around me. Or you. We
learn to work as a team and make compromises, or we continue to go down the
shitter. This is true on both small and global scales.
· “You will always owe someone money. So get over
it, be responsible, but don’t let it stress you out or you will always be
stressed about something that won’t matter in the long run.” Thanks nanny.
·
I am 100 percent responsible for my successes. And
for my failures. Blame can make you feel
better, but it rarely gets you anywhere.
·
“You can’t move forward when you’re only looking
back” (Again, thank you Church of Christ billboard guy).
· Talking loudly does not actually equate to
knowing what you are talking about.
· This terrifying thing exists in the ocean:
Photo
courtesy of Wikipedia
·
Never Google symptoms of an illness. Just don’t.
· Squats are your friend. “If you don’t squeeze
your glutes, no one else will want to either”-Thanks Max.
·
Some decisions you make may be right for you but
will make others uncomfortable. Unless you just did something morally corrupt
and violent, like killing a kitten, this is usually a reflection of their
insecurities, not your decision.
· The best veggie burgers come from Harvey’s. Thanks
Nicole.
You always have something to give. There is
always someone with less.
· Gratitude is the key to happiness.
· I will only ever use about a third of the math
they taught in school. Thank god. Because I only learned about a third of the
math they taught in school.
·
Know the people in your life who will always, always have your back. Then do the same for them and hold on to them for dear life.
·
The worse day in the world can be cured by
spending a few minutes by the ocean (just not near the creepy thing mentioned
above).
