I recently celebrated my birthday (Shoutout to my fellow Librans). Actually, it was my ‘champagne’ birthday, or ‘golden’ birthday, or whatever you choose to call it. It’s when you turn the same age as the day you were born.
This year, I turned 27 on the 27th of September. I don’t feel much older, but I can’t help but notice how close 27 is to 30!!! 27 is officially your ‘late twenties’!
WOW, I’m old!! Ok… pity party over; the optimistic I am (well, try to be) also sees this as empowering.
I have 27 years of life experience, wisdom, lessons, and memories.
I’ve learnt what love is, what true friendship means, the importance of family, the hardships in death, the real world of bills and taxes and even a glimpse of mommy hood with our two dogs.
I’m entering my 27th year feeling eager and super excited. I think this is going to be a very special year.
I’ve decided to start my 27th year with this blog, my gift to myself… a little reflection.
This week I wrote 4 blogs for four different clients plus a short bio for a real estate agent.
This time, it’s for me. I thought I would take a moment to look back and reflect on the lessons I’ve learned and the advice I’d like to share (I’m no Dr. Phil, but give me a chance!?):
1. You are going to get criticized for your life's choices; you might as well be criticized for doing what you want…
Seriously. Why do people feel they deserve an opinion on your life?! Everyone has an opinion and everyone feels the need to share theirs with you… whether you asked for it or not. You can't please everyone, so you might as well focus on pleasing yourself.
2. You cannot change people…
We’ve all been there! Stayed in a relationship, friendship, whatever-ship thinking it, or they, will change. It won’t! They won’t! People are who they are. Change happens, but don’t ever expect it. Don’t allow someone in your life unless you know you can accept them for who they are.
3. Dogs are better than chocolate…
Anyone who knows me; knows this is a BIG statement. Doesn’t matter if you left them alone all day, they still get excited when you come home. We’ve got one dog (with an attitude problem) and one puppy (with a giving kisses problem). They are totally different dogs, and they have taught me so much about being selfless, trusting, a better person, and love. No matter what, we are their humans, and they depend on us. They love us no matter what, even when we do leave them to go to work or on vacation.
4. Happiness is essential…
Have you ever noticed society has a problem? We dwell on the negative and forget about the positive. We talk about our issues and ignore our blessings. I love the quote from Mother Theresa, ‘Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.’ What an accomplishment and power that is, to simply be around someone and make them happier. Everyone deserves happiness and everyone should make it their daily goal to try and spread happiness wherever they go. God knows our world needs it!
5. There’s no point in worrying or stressing…
OK, this one is written just as a daily reminder to myself, but it still counts! Stressing over things does not help (yet, I still do it!!) Stressing over something just takes up your time, happiness and joy. Instead, act. Do something about it. And, if you can’t do anything about it; It is what it is. Life is going to flow where it’s going to flow. Just let it be.
Obviously this is a list of constant reminders to myself. I’m not perfect and I need a daily reminder of these things as well. Am I the only one who finds writing things down helpful? It makes them seem more real and makes you more accountable.
Cheers; to birthdays, getting older, and getting wiser.
XO
BAM