This birthday was somewhat emotional for me. I am not completely sure why, but I suspect it may be because I did not really think I'd live to see 30. I thought I'd be dead instead of celebrating a birthday, and I nearly was. I won't regale you with the details of my near-death pregnancy, labor, and delivery--but let's just say it was a close call.
Near death experiences make you reflective. I think turning 30 must have that affect on you too. So I spent my day deep in self-reflection. I am not where I thought I'd be professionally. I am in career limbo at the moment. I was a bit upset about this at first. But then I realized something--something pretty amazing.
I'm somewhere I never even dared hope to be personally. I was always afraid of marriage and real commitment. I know that sounds strange. I married young and got divorced several years later. I married safe the first time around. That's a horrible thing to say, but it's true. I was scared to really put myself out there. But I did finally put myself out there--really out there--into a relationship that carries enough emotion that this man could break me. Now I am married to the love of my life. I never thought that would happen. I was told I would never have children. Now I have three. I was told I'd never be able to get pregnant. Not only did I get pregnant, I gave birth to the most beautiful baby girl I've ever laid eyes on and I survived! We own a house. We have two cars that run. We have everything we need and a few of the things we want. In my 29th year I learned to redefine success, and this new definition brought me happiness and enlightenment. I'm a very blessed, very loved 30 year old woman. I am embracing 30 for the miracle and opportunity it is. So here are 30 things I learned before I turned 30:
1. Liquor before beer, never fear. Beer before liquor, never sicker. I learned this at a party when I was 20. Yes, I know you should not drink at 20. I will never forget this valuable lesson. You shouldn't either.
2. Sometimes it's better not to follow the rules.
3. When you do every single thing the way society says you are supposed to, you make choices you will regret later and get hung up on a lot of things that really don't matter much in the long run. I wish I had gone to a community college and transferred into a 4 year school later. I would have saved money, and employers do not care. I wouldn't have married the first man I ever slept with. I would have done something stupid like max out a credit card to go to Europe for a summer.
4. Live more, worry less.
5. Education really does change you. I will never regret going to college. I may regret the debt, but never the choice to go. Education makes you a better, more compassionate person. I truly believe that. When you better yourself, you better your world. You should always seek to grow and learn, every day in every way you can.
6. Life is not a promise, it is a gift. You are not guaranteed tomorrow. Try to find positivity and joy in every day.
7. Animals really can be your best friends.
8. The hardest thing in the world is to leave your comfort zone. It is also the most rewarding thing.
9. If you are kind that kindness comes back to you when you need it most. The same goes with generosity.
10. You CAN go home again. Sometimes right back where you started is exactly where you belong.
11. Love is everything. Nothing is anything without love.
12. Friendship is better than chocolate.
13. Chocolate is better than almost everything else. Except sex. Sex is better than chocolate.
14. Snuggling a sleeping infant will heal almost all wounds--at least for a little while.
15. Watching your children grow, hearing them laugh, feeling their hugs--oh, it will make your heart grow bigger than you ever knew it could be. You will love them more than you knew it was possible to love.
16. Read. Read often. Read diversely. Read to learn. Read to love. Read to escape. Just read. Reading is an adventure.
17. You want to be more beautiful? Laugh. Big belly laughs. Guffaw. You will be beautiful.
18. Embrace your body. It's the only one you've got. Take care of it. Love it. Learn its curves or its plains and be proud of it. Beauty is more than skin deep.
19. Forgive. Forgiveness releases you from hurt and anger and pain you didn't even know you were still holding on to. Let it go.
20. If you say you can't, you won't. If you say you can, you will.
21. Surround yourself with people who love your quirks.
22. Say thank you. Mean it.
23. Coconut oil is the most awesome stuff on the planet. You can do almost anything with it. Seriously! Google it.
24. Give. Give what you have when you have it. If you have nothing, give support and a smile. It goes further than you think it does.
25. Snow is the most beautiful when it is the least expected, and here in the south where it is never really expected it seems magical.
26. If you let yourself believe in miracles you just might get one.
27. Words have power. Use them wisely.
28. Children emulate your behavior--good or bad. Show them who you want them to be and they'll be that.
29. Paint--even if you suck at it. Dance--even if you have no rhythm. Sing--even if you can't carry a tune in a bucket. Why? Because it is fun to be creative, and you're the only person who needs to enjoy your creativity.
30. Happiness can be a choice. Choose it.
Beautiful story. Thanks for sharing this so honestly!
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