40 Things I've Learned Thus Far...

I just turned 40 on September 29th and for some reason it's been a really big deal. I made my family drive with me to Los Angeles so I could be in my favorite places when the big day came. I also have been able to find pictures from each year of my life and write and remember the flow of my life and some things I have learned along the way. It's been an awesome life so far, despite the harships and tragedies. In a nutshell, the following list is at least one thing I learned per year. Wow, my life could actually be half over! Gives a whole new perspective and urgency to my actions and decisions.

This list is loosely organized according to the year I probably learned it, hence the numbers before the lesson.

1. 0-1 There is life outside of the comfortable womb I am in. Although it's warm and comfy and all my needs are met, one day I must leave this and experience more. It's a necessary part of life that repeats itself over and over.

2. 1-2 My mom loves me and nurtures me. She is a safe place to run to whenever I feel afraid. She knows how to comfort me. She will be the model for what I will look for later in God.

3. 2-3 You have to watch out because sometimes other people want to take your toys.

4. 3-4 It's more fun to be outside looking at and experiencing nature and play than being inside watching TV.

5. 4-5 Change is good. It's painful and scary, but it teaches you so much and it welcomes so many new people into your life. Just make sure you have plenty of cupcakes around.

6. 5-6 It's good to keep some magic alive in your heart and believe in the unbelievable, the winsome, the impossible, the good and the beautiful.

7. 6-7 When you find out there's no Santa, put out the milk and cookies anyway.

8. 7-8 When you fall off your horse, get back up and ride.

9. 8-9 Not everyone is out for your good. Be wise and cautious with your heart, mind, soul and body.

10 9-10 Develop great relationships with your grandparents, or if they aren't available, adopt some. They are an endless supply of wisdom, love, experience and friendship.

11 10-11 Be a good and loyal friend. A good friend is like a diamond - it will last forever and it's value will always increase in time.

12 11-12 Do as much as you can to spend lots of time in nature. Make it your playground. At the same time, respect its power and fierceness.

13 12-13 Learn how to be a penpal. It's a lost art but it works your friendship muscles and keeps them strong for life.

14 13-14 Not everyone will understand you when you are different, but stay true to yourself anyway, even if you're rejected. Jesus did.

15 14-15 Our parents aren't perfect.

16 15-16 The character you develop when you're young sets the stage for your entire life.

17 16-17 Bad company corrupts good character.

18 17-18 It's good to have an open mind as long as it's guided by conviction.

19 18-19 Mourning a death is a bittersweet thing. It changes you forever.

20 19-20 There is more to life than fun, fashion, friends, food and frivolity. The soul needs richer fare.

21 20-21 Womanhood isn't based on age.

22 21-22 A relationship with God and a love for Jesus is the "missing link", the "fountain of youth" and the "end of the rainbow".

23 22-23 Puppy love is good for the soul.

24 23-24 Be creative! It keeps you alive for when you're at work creating, you are reflecting God.

25 24-25 Live your life with an open hand toward heaven: let God give what he will and let him take what he will.

26 25-26 Keep a learner's heart.

27 26-27 God disciplines his children, he doesn't bother with other people's kids.

28 27-28 Work at what you really love to do - then it doesn't feel like work.

29 28-29 Never give up on your dreams, they are from God and they lead you to your destiny.

30 29-30 When one dream runs its course, search for another. If we spend our time mourning the dream that was, we miss our path and get lost.

31 30-31 Lonliness is God's way of getting some special time with us.

32 31-32 It's ok if the whole world doesn't recognize my beauty as long as the right person does.

33 32-33 God created us all man and woman. He's all for marriage and family or else he would have created "he" "she" and "it".

34 33-34 If you desire marriage but you are still single, don't just wait around for a spouse. Rather, follow your dreams, live out your passions, become a truly loving and interesting person and a spouse will find you irresistable.

35 34-35 The only thing I need to know is how to love.

36 35-36 Our desires don't always match God's timing, but God loves to fulfill us and he is always right on time.

37 36-37 Marriage is not just a romantic excursion. It's the great refiner of our souls.

38 37-38 Motherhood is the mourning of the loss of "me" and the rejoicing of the beginning of "we".

39 38-39 Pray and sing a lot. These are God's love languages and they transcend us to another place where he resides.

40 39-40 Don't forget to call your mother if you are still fortunate enough to have her around.