Monday, January 3, 2011

Things I Learned in 2010

1. No matter how hard you try to please people, someone is inevitably disappointed, let down, or frustrated. I’m far better off doing what feels right to me, and hoping that others understand, but letting it go when they don’t.

2. Turning 18 or 21 doesn’t automatically make a person an adult. It is thoughts, actions, and behaviors that make us that. On the flip side, turning 40 or 50 or 85 doesn’t necessarily make a person old either. Same thing goes, even if our bodies are a little more wrinkled and worn.

3. You can’t plan for everything. Sometimes things come up. You aren’t prepared. Best thing you can do is roll with it, keep your priorities in line, and smile as much as you can.

4. Everyone gets discouraged at some point. Everyone. If you see someone who needs a pick-me-up, jump to help. You never know when you’ll be next and that person (or someone else) will be returning the favor.

5. Really strong, intense emotions tend to shut down your brain, then restart it again with a new perspective (even if that restart takes a few months). At the point of restart, a waterfall of wisdom might flow in. Be prepared to catch it.

6. Always wear a helmet.

7. Be careful of the things you do and say to others. You have no idea what is happening in their lives, how your actions or words will affect them now, or in the future.

8. Absence really does make the heart grow fonder. Also, it makes your house get, then stay, clean for a long time.

9. Sleep is for the tired, but caffeine is for the determined.

10. You can make friends, a home, your bed, but no matter what you do, you cannot make up for words left unsaid. Tell the important people in your life that you love them as often as possible. You never know when your most recent words will turn into your last ones.

What important lessons did you learn last year?

9 comments:

Angela said...

I like #5.

Shari said...

Great lessons, Nicole. Thanks for sharing them. It made me think, and I have to say I agree with all of them.

ali cross said...

There is a lot of wisdom here! Thanks for sharing what you've learned Nichole. It's beautiful!

Angie said...

Good lessons. I think I have a lot to learn.

Riv Re said...

Nice lessons. My favorite is 9, and I'm trying to figure out the story behind 6...

Hermana Maw said...

What a fun way to look at the year. Now I want to go back and see what I've learned. :)

Elana Johnson said...

Oh my heck! Our blog titles are almost identical. You are wise, my friend.

Rachelle Christensen said...

This is excellent, Nichole! I love how you worded #5.

Melissa Cunningham said...

I loved this post! And get this. I had this very same backdrop for my blog. But I changed it at the new year. You know you can have part of your page see through so you can see the trees from behind? That's how I had it anyway. It was very cool. =)