28 Lessons From My 28th Year

I celebrated my 29th birthday yesterday! I guess due to all of the birthday excitement and the quickly approaching Christmas excitement I found myself wide awake this morning around 2am with no sleep in sight so I decided to use that time to reflect on my days as a 28 year old and I came up with a list of 28 things I already knew but came to understand even better over the last year of my life!


28 Lessons From My 28th Year

1) Keep your Joy.
Don't let simple frustrations steal your joy. We are all inconvenienced from time to time, take a moment to realize the good that ended up coming from a frustrating moment. You just might me surprised and life will get a lot happier!

2) I'm happy if you're happy!
Don't let selfish feelings get in the way of others happiness. Nothing can lose a friend faster than not being a true friend.

3) I'm lovin it!
There is a girl at a McDonald's here in Rock Hill who works during breakfast and when I approach the window she ask how I am doing and then responds with "I'm Lovin' It!!!" when I ask her the same. I have actually passed the McDonald's closest to my office to visit hers instead just because she reminds me to enjoy life and smile no matter what - I am sure there are a million other places she would rather be that early in the morning but she is making the best of it and I'm lovin' it!

4) X+Y=Z
Everything doesn't always have to make sense to work....for me this equates to math. I cannot make sense of equations but I know that if you do them right then you get the correct result. So when stuff happens that I don't understand or cannot explain, I have learned to just roll with it and enjoy it rather than wasting time trying to figure out why!

5) It could always be worse.
Don't believe me? Make a trip to a children's hospital.

6) Enjoy the nagging.
One day I'll wish I  had them so I have been more conscious of making sure I answer the phone when my parents call...even if the call is to nag me about something, one of these days I will wish they were still here to nag me.

7) Not all gifts are found under the tree.
This past weekend I went to my fathers side of the family Christmas gathering, since I could not attend last year due to a scheduling conflict this was my first Ramsey Christmas without my grandfather or Uncle Terry since they passed last year. I would have given back any present in the world to have been able to have them there!

8) Take chances.
Don't confuse "I can't" with "I'm scared".

9) True love is real.
The way to know it's real is when you try to explain it to someone and find yourself pausing then saying, "I can't put it into words". I have learned that defining Love isn't making a list of adjectives to describe a person...instead it's not being able to find an adjective strong enough to express a feeling.

10) Relax.
"Worry is like a rocking chair it gives you something to do, but gets you nowhere."

11) Be direct.
If you have tension with someone find the courage to confront it so that it can dissolve rather than build up.
 I often remind myself of this quote by Maggie Kuhn:“Speak your mind even if your voice shakes.”

12) Set the Sleep Timer.
I have found that in the past few weeks when I turn my TV off at night I sleep like a baby. All. Night. Long.

13) I just called to say...
If an old friend crosses your mind, something reminds you of someone or if someone just crosses your mind for no reason at all-tell them, it only takes a second and will brighten both of your days.

14) Reciprocate.
Working in customer service I often hear people calling to complain, try that same approach of reporting someone when they are nice. You will be surprised at the satisfaction YOU gain from this.

15) Prioritize.
Don't put your job ahead of relationships or opportunities-they won't return the favor

16)When in Doubt, Don't.
I read this quote once in a Jane Austen book but I think you can take out the word man and fill in the blank with whatever it is your are deciding on. "If a woman doubts as to whether she should accept a man or not, she certainly ought to refuse him."

17) Through good and bad.
Pray for your family and friends constantly, not just when they need it. If you don't then don't be mad when they go astray...Ask and it shall be given works in reverse too.

18) Remember who the Author REALLY is.
¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jer. 29:11-13

19) Say Thanks.
I read this a few weeks ago and it really hit home: What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday.

20)SITS
Remember the constant reminders we all use to wear around our wrists a few years back...WWJD well I often think of making a new bracelet to wear as a constant reminder SITS "Stand in Their Shoes" this would remind me to sit down for a second and think about situations from the other point of view...being empathetic can get you so much further than being judgmental. By remembering SITS daily it's amazing how much easier a lot of the others on this list have been!

21) Look it up.
"Google it" I wish I had a dime for every time I say this in a day! Look stuff up...words, people, quotes...expand your brain!

22) De-Clutter.
Keeping my room and car clean-this is one that I rarely actually do but I have found out the few times this was the case that it seems like the less clutter around me the less clutter in my mind!

23) Take Notes.
Write everything down and don't abbreviate it-at that moment you think you'll remember but you wont.

24) DIY
I am craftier & more creative than I ever knew...Thanks Pinterest.com

25) Date Night for One.
Pencil in "Me Time" on your calendar. In a post a while back I wrote about a lady I met you made plans with herself and made it a priority to write it on her calendar just as she would for any other meeting and would be sure to plan other things around that time. Treat your time with yourself as important as your time with others.
26) Pause.
Tell God 'good morning' before anyone else or Facebook. Also at this same time tell him Thanks for the good things you'll face that day as well as thanks for the help and understanding of the not so good things you'll face.

27) Affirmation Calendar.
"Everyday may not be good but their is something good in every day." I saw an idea on Pinterest and I am going to start it Jan 1 to help remind me of this quote. On Index Cards/Rolodex write the date at the top and one good thing that happened that day - do this each day on a different card then when the year starts over you can see what good thing happened to you one year ago each day as you continue using the same cards for the new year ahead! What a great reminder of what you have to be thankful for as well as where you have been and where you are going!  (calendar idea)

28) Value.
Webster defines precious as: valuable, beloved.
Time is precious be precious with your time.

xoxo,
Faith