{35 things I am still learning}

35 things I am still learning...

1. Life is a fast moving train. It's amazing how quickly tomorrow becomes yesterday. And yesterday becomes ten years ago.
2. The people that love you most in life are the same ones to risk the offense of setting you straight. These are the keepers.
3. Kids really do grow up in the blink of an eye. Dust off your photo albums... you'll see.
4. Kids don't have to grow up in a perfect home. But they need stability, sound example, apologies for the occasional lack thereof and most of all... unconditional love.
5. Reveling in a good cup of coffee, a simple prayer and contemplative music is a good daily ritual.
6. A dog can be the most loyal friend you will ever have. They never grow tired of you either. 
7. People that try to discourage you are really only envious of your drive and ambition.
8. Love is an amazing force. Euphoria is the wild flame that fades, but slow burning embers the heat that sustains. 
9. Words can be just as devastating as the actions that preceeded or follow them.
10. Thinking of people who have really ticked you off in life while you are running will easily push you right through that last mile.
11. Use anger to propel you when you need it as a driving force for success, but don't carry it like the weight that it is.
12. God is in the biggest of things, the sky to the expanse of the smallest minutia, a grain of sand. 
13. You cannot fix another person's addictions. You can't take responsibility for them either.
14. Food.. it's one of the greatest simple pleasures in life. Vacation, another. 
15. Live in today. Not yesterday. Not tomorrow. Today is only one you have control over.
16. Attitude can turn your entire world upside down or right-side up. It's one of the biggest determining forces we have. It's one of the only determining forces we have.
17. Give people the same grace that you have been given. Especially when they don't deserve it. That is when they need it the most.
18. Realize that the most judgmental opinions come from people who've messed up the worst. It's their way of mentally elevating themselves out of their own faults.
19. Don't judge someone else by what you see. Your vision is only external. Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. {I Sam. 16:7}
20. Confidence really is an admirable trait. But be careful not to blur the line into cockiness. Narcissism, like ego, is best when kept in healthy check.
21. Verbally express love to the people that matter to you. As life is uncertain and goodbyes unplanned - knowing they knew you loved them can sustain you when they are gone.
22. Count your blessings. On your lowest day, count them twice as much.
23. Laugh. Often and outloud.
24. You can't airbrush wrinkles and gray hair in real life. So parallel them with wisdom you've gained.
25. Don't allow society to define beauty for you. Find it internally.
26. Money is pretty gosh darn nice, but it isn't a cure for the individual voids we all have.
27. Find your vocation in doing what you love by knowing you could do it for free.
28. Realize that there is always someone more talented, more beautiful, more successful, more creative, more everything. There is also always someone less. Trying to be all you can be regardless of who is in front of or behind you is key. Forget where you are in line. Focus on moving forward.
29. Don't believe everything you see on the news. Read more and watch tv less. 
30. Sometimes all you need is a drive through the country with the windows rolled down and your music loud.
31. Propelling yourself to succeed is important. But trophies, accolades, titles, plaques and net profits won't be among your final thoughts when your journey is through. Invest your success in your loved ones, rather. As love is the only baggage you can't leave behind. You can leave all the rest. You will leave all the rest no matter how tightly you cling to it.
32. Everyone fails. Choose to get back up and try again.
33. Don't blame your parents for who you are today. You may have their DNA, but you make your own imprint.
34. Find significance and beauty in things that inspire you. Seek them out intentionally. 
35. Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many.