23

23 years: A Reflection

1. Life has a way of working itself out.

2. Be adventurous in your own way. To one person, adventure is trying a new restaurant. To another, it might be sea-kayaking or mountain climbing. Whatever your sense of adventure is, embrace it.

3. Be yourself. It is cliche, I know, but true. Life would be boring if we all had the same quirks, talents, and ideas.

4. Mom & Dad: they show me love and patience, give sound advice, support my adventures, and listen to ideas and opinions.

5. Shelby, my sister: a constant companion during childhood and the person who knows me best. She is brave, creative, and fun.

6. Extended family: They are good examples, supportive, and I love them!

7. Life goes on. It is okay to move on.

8. Friends: They are wonderful additions to my family. They are unique. I love their spirits of adventure, gentleness, and cheerfulness, their senses of humor and compassion, and their love for God and serving in His kingdom.

9. Keep learning. Each person you meet is a teacher. Each experience, a way to gain greater understanding of others and the world God created.

10. Laugh. Giggle. Indulge in a hearty chuckle. It is good for the soul. :)

11. Don't shut out emotion. Sorrow, feel it. Joy, feel it.

12. God has blessed me with 23 years of snow, autumn leaves, lazy summer days of watermelon and popsicles, catching fireflies, and playing in the rain.

13. I love the peaceful moments when I know that I'm right where I should be.

14. Life can have outrageous amounts of frustration, annoyances, and those no good, really bad days.

15. Justice is rarely served appropriately in this life.

16. Don't let your inability to do something well keep you from participating. I'm not a good or even remotely competent ice skater, but it is one of my favorite things to do. So what if I cling to the wall most of the time and fall every few feet?

17. Act like a kid every now and then: fingerpaint, color, draw with sidewalk chalk, blow bubbles, slide on the floor in your socks, romp in the snow, chew bubblegum, read children's books, camp in the backyard, play in the sprinkler.

18. Share. Don't cling so tightly to material things that you have no room for what really matters: meaningful relationships with others.

19. Befriend people of all ages.

20. Acknowledge the presence of others. Remember and use their names.

21. Don't apologize unless you truly mean it. Insincere and half-hearted apologies often do more harm than good.

22. Don't be easily offended or think that everyone is out to get you. Let things go and live your life. Chances are, they are too busy living their lives to be thinking about how to ruin yours. Spare yourself the worry and get over it. Recognize that the world does not revolve around you.

23. Sometimes life is unfair and downright terrible. But, it also has its moments of unspeakable joy.