Life lessons, reflections, and observations from my 41 years on Earth
Michelle wrote a similar post a couple of years ago and I wanted to do something similar.
Most have come from others so I don’t claim any originality. These are little nuggets that I want to make sure my nieces and nephews know. Things that I wished a younger version of me knew but I’m glad I know these things now as an adult.
And since I value the wisdom of others, I’d love to hear in the comments below any life lesson (big or small) that is important to you that you’d be willing to share with me.
For my nieces, nephews, and younger Jedd.
Thank your parents (for everything) more often and earlier in life.
You don’t need to eat 3 meals a day.
Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.
Take care of your teeth while you are young. Don’t be like me and waste them on candy and soda. Your older self will thank you.
You don’t have to shower or wash your hair everyday. But you should shower any time you smell. So it might be every day.
Learn from your elders. Listen to their stories. Serve and honor them.
Go travel. Discover and learn from your travels.
Be willing to try most food (edible) at least once from people you trust. Even if it may not sound or look appealing at first. However, it’s ok and important to NOT eat things from people you DON’T trust.
Remember there’s no one else like you in this world. Billions of people. Only you.
Remember there are billions of people out there and each one unique. Value and honor their humanity and existence.
Care for the environment, our earth. Similar to humans, there’s only one earth that deserves your love, care, and respect. It will serve future generations. You’re not going to solve climate change but enough people caring can have a positive impact.
Learn to love eating vegetables and drinking water from early on in life.
Find mentors, early and often. (Thank you Eva, Dana, Zollners, Gottbergs, Marnie, etc…)
Sleep more. Go to bed earlier. Develop a sleep routine.
Establish boundaries in your relationships. If people don’t respect or value your boundaries, you shouldn’t be in a relationship with them.
Watch Ted Lasso, Shrinking, Acapulco, The Extraordinary Attorney Woo, Schitt’s Creek, and the Office.
In the most ethical way possible, meet and touch an Elephant.
Learn how to grown your own food and make your own meals from your own harvest.
Find, trust, and put your faith into something you can’t fully comprehend.
Try to live an active lifestyle. Do some sort of intentional physical activity almost every day. Focus on strength, cardio, flexibility, and mobility. If anything, walk as much as possible each day.
Work on being honest and a person of integrity.
Cinnamon rolls and Kouign-amanns are the only pastries worth having unless there’s something better than those. Then have those too.
Listen more. Talk less.
Reading graphic novels is a form of reading. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.
Learn another language. If not a couple of them. Enough to learn from others and build relationships.
You can be a person who believes in faith AND a person who believes in science.
Live each day with gratitude, especially during the challenging days/seasons of life.
It’s ok to question things. In fact, you should question most if not all things, especially anything people say you should definitely believe in. Do your own research and make up your own mind. But be willing to change your mind if presented with new information that disproves what you originally thought.
There are some absolute truths. For example, the earth is round. Return of the Jedi is better than Empire Strike Back.
Buying something “on sale” is not saving money.
Don’t let anyone tell you can’t do anything. But, be aware that you can’t do everything.
Approach life and relationships with the “intent to learn”.
Be kind and give grace to others, even when they don’t deserve it. You’ll wish and hope others will treat you similarly.
Learn to love yourself, fully and unconditionally. Then you’ll be able to love others fully and unconditionally.
Tell important people you care about thank you before it’s too late and how much their lives impacted yours. At least once, but as often as you feel led.
Less is more, if not enough.
It is possible to live a full and wonderful life without a life partner. That being said, if you’re lucky to find someone that you do want to spend the rest of your life with, know that this person is a special gift. Not a possession to hold onto, not a goal to achieve.
I have learned SO much from Michelle. This is a good example of things she has taught me that you might enjoy as well.
Never stop learning. Be curious. There’s always something new to discover.
Laughter is important. Be able to laugh at yourself. Laugh with others.
You are loved. More than you’ll ever realize.
Simply Intentional 