At approximately 3:10 PM on February 9, 2018, I will have been alive for a quarter-of-a-century. For the less-melodramatic readers, that’s 25. Twenty-five trips around the sun, twenty-five birthday cakes, twenty-five notes of linear-progression. “You’re older!” “You made it!” “Happy Birthday!”
Well, I view this new age as the last year on my quarter. If God wills, and as the averages note, we get approximately 3-4 quarters of life to spend on this earth. Each quarter of life has its peaks and valleys, challenges and eases, noteworthy coincidences and mundane routines; and we are remarkably different from the beginning of the quarter to the end. A newborn baby enters the world in complete surrender to her environment; a 24-year-old wishes with all of his power to change the environment which surrounds him.
And I’ll admit that, being as I’ve only spent one quarter on this earth, my notes will pale in comparison to those who have spent two, three and four quarters: they are the real founts of wisdom.
But as little as I know now, I can’t help but share the notes that I’ve taken as the end of this quarter came into view.
So, with that said, here are 25 notes that I’ve taken from the lessons that life has taught me, whether through wisdom given to me or through personal experience:
- Keep wisdom close. Proverbs speaks of wisdom as if she is a woman shouting in the streets and many turn their backs to her. (Proverb 1:20) I wish it wasn’t true. I wish everyone sought wisdom and loved mercy, but that’s just not so. Pride gets in the way and people choose ignorance in order to feel secure in their bad decisions. I have been there, I know, and that’s why this lesson is so important to me. There are people we know who are actively engaging in the pursuit of wisdom (they are usually the quiet ones) and those people will be the ones to rescue you from grave mistakes. Keep them near, appreciate them, and be so thankful for them.
- Don’t fear change. Curve-balls await us at every corner and it’s up to us what we do with them. If we fear them and cower at their approach, we miss the opportunity to grow. Even if it isn’t a curve-ball, per say, but a natural life event that we are running from; embrace the changing season and hold onto the hope that it’s going to be good for us. Oh yeah, also remember that only fools think that their plans are going to happen. (Psalm 94:11)
- Be the first at the starting-line. Lead the charge, blaze the pathways, do anything but be a blind follower.
- There are dog people and then there are the crazies. Sorry cat lovers, it’s nothing personal….or maybe it is. Cats are the spawn of Satan himself and shouldn’t be allowed passage through my doorways…. ever.
- Don’t take it personally. The objective criticism, the relative stories that don’t include your own name, the opinions of another person….. just let it go.. it’s not about you.
- Do take it personally. When something awakens compassion in you, when you see someone in need: You better believe you were meant to help them.
- Nothing is by accident. Do not think for a second that life is just a big mess of happenstances. There is a design in the chaos, trust Him.
- Think a whole lot less of yourself. Yes you’re beautiful and wonderful and all that jazz, but that’s not what life is about and you’d better start searching for a better reason to be alive..
- The good life was made for the dreamers and believers. The creative fire that burns inside of you is something that will lead you to do amazing things. Don’t put it out.
- Appreciate the silence. Before I knew that I was an introvert, I always questioned why I needed this so much. Now that I know, I can sit alone and appreciate the moments of time to recharge in the quiet.
- Anxiety doesn’t make you a weak person. Anxiety will make you feel insignificant and weak but that’s just a feeling. Hold onto the reigns and keep going; your thoughts will get healthier soon and your mind will strengthen.
- Filter out the negatives. Negative people, that is.
- You will lose sometimes. People, money, relationships: all can be lost. This was so crucial to accept as I went through some really hard times and had to decide whether I could accept that finality just can’t happen while living on the earth. The only certainty is being saved by the Greatest Love that ever was and that’s something I can definitely accept.
- Travel often. This is obviously one of my main lessons in the past five or so years. The travel bug bit after studying abroad in 2013 and I’ve been craving adventures since. The real moral of the story is that travel enhances every part of your being: that’s pretty huge.
- It’s okay to change your mind. Open-mindedness isn’t a personality flaw. It’s okay to accept when you’ve misinterpreted a situation or lived in ignorance. It’s okay to decide that you don’t want to become a counselor and, instead, you’d like to work in assisted living.
- Family is everything. You know this as well as I do, and I’m so thankful to have been blessed with the goofiest/craziest/loving-est family ever. We may fail each other at times, but in the end we will always have each other’s backs.
- You’re a bad friend, but you can get better. I’ve had to accept that I struggle maintaining my friendships. The introvert in me just can’t seem to manage more than one person at a time…. but I am praying and working towards improvement.
- Forgiveness is essential. This is for all parties involved. You, the debtor and all that were affected by the debt. Healing begins when true forgiveness takes place. Oh yeah, and God can really work miracles in these situations, trust me!
- Eating salad is good for you and so is eating a piece of cake. Moderation is key.
- Take baby steps when necessary. Don’t be in constant stress because you haven’t drastically improved in a specific area after one attempt.
- You are unique, but then again you’re not. We have all been “blessed” and “cursed” in ways, which makes us feel as if we are alone in our situations; but no one is an island and I guarantee there’s another person in the world feeling the same way as you right about now.
- Today is the perfect day to have a good day. A positive attitude will get you so far in life. Blaming others for your place in life…will not.
- Be more concerned with your community. Because we can’t change the world in one day, but we can start in our community and work our way out.
- Nothing in the world is free. Someone has had to give up something in order for you to obtain that free thing. Be grateful for any opportunity and don’t behave like an entitled, spoiled idiot.
- Welcome to the next stage of your life. Once you leave college, your success is up up to you. A job isn’t handed to you on a silver platter and sometimes you have to start out in something you don’t see yourself in long-term. The best part of being on your own, though, is that awesome moment when you do get your foot in the door of your dream job… and it was all because of your own efforts… so you take yourself out for a celebration donut and coffee like a real adult should 😉
Have you thought about how you’ve spent your first quarter? What lessons have you learned and would like to share? Please leave your own notes in the comments!
xoxo,
The Travelling Aunt
TheAbundantLife 