Twenty Nine Things

Twenty Nine Lessons I've Learned From My 20s....

1) As cliche as it sounds, never pass up an opportunity to let someone know how much they mean to you. It's important.

2) Travel as much as you can - I went to 10 different countries in the past decade, and I am so glad. I love having friends in Europe, Africa and Asia - and I had experiences in those places I never want to forget.

3) Don't waste time being concerned what other people think about you. Stay on the straight and narrow, and know the rest is out of your control.

4) Spend lots of time being concerned with what God wants from you. He is totally in control.

5) Be nice to your parents.

6) Savor every moment your baby is a baby. It goes by very fast and before you know it, he's a non-stop, cuddle-resistant toddler. Take advantage of every opportunity to keep up with your toddler. Climb the jungle gym, read stories, sing songs - a day has never been more well spent.

7) Be passionate in your marriage. Go on dates, flirt, and act like crazy people once in awhile. And laugh a lot.

8) Go to college. I am so glad I got that stupid piece of paper - it opens doors and the four (er, five...) years go by quickly.

9) Dance. Your. Guts. Out.

10) Know who your true friends are.

11) Don't let anyone intimidate you. Respectfully show them you are very smart and brave.

12) Keep your mouth shut.

13) Find a few people in your life that will never expect you to keep your mouth shut, and are completely okay with that.

14) When your thoughts keep you awake, thank God for everything you have until you fall asleep.

15) Don't feel guilty about getting in your pajamas and curling up in bed with a book or your journal in the afternoon....especially if it's raining.

16) Love as unconditionally as you can. Then further reduce your conditions and love again.

17) Spend time pouring into the lives of those younger than you. You'll be surprised at how much you'll desire holding yourself accountable and the way they'll indirectly guide you.

18) Disneyland is never a waste of money.

19) Find three places in the world you feel totally free and at peace (mine = sitting on an ocean-view balcony in Kauai, cloud watching in Santa Clara, driving through the city with my favorite music playing).

20) Stick close to someone you admire. But never lose sight of who you are.

21) Realize when to let go, and forgive yourself for doing so.

22) Accept you are 100%, perfectly loved by God. He adores you, He cherishes you...soak that in.

23) If you haven't used it in a year or more, then give it away or throw it away.

24) Pursue your dreams. You CAN achieve them (unless you want to be America's Next Top Model or something...that prob won't happen)...

25) Don't ever outwardly assume someone's political stance.

26) If you are writing an email in regards to a friendship, relationship, confrontation, complaint, or anything else that involves someone's heart - save it to your drafts and wait 24 hours to send it.

27) Don't send the email. Meet for coffee. It may be uncool, but face-to-face is always best.

28) But don't actually drink coffee. Ew. And if you must, don't go to Starbucks - support local business.

29) Never turn down dessert.

30.....Well, the old people had it right. Life goes by insanely fast. Live every second to its fullest, until your entire life is just completely worn out for God. Then you'll never have to look back <3