46 Things I've Learned in 46 Years

Hello there everyone! I know, I know. Long time, no write. Sometimes the inspiration just isn't there! But today --- today is my birthday. My 46th birthday to be exact. So I decided to share 46 things I've learned in my 46 years on this Earth. Ready? Alright here we go:

1.  You can't always get what you want.

2.  Brothers don't take it easy on you just because you're a "girl." And you'll be thankful later on in life for that.

3.  You shouldn't wear a dress when it's windy outside.

4.  The best thing you can be taught in school is how to treat other people and how to resolve conflicts without violence.

5.  But when push comes to shove, be prepared.

6.  Know how to change your own flat tire.

7.  Don't give up on your dreams.

8.  Your parents may not always have it all together. That's okay. You won't either when you're a parent. And your kids will love you anyway.

9.  Being a parent is the scariest, toughest, and most rewarding thing I have ever done.

10.  Summer nights smell the best.

11.  Embrace a creative activity - whether it be painting, sculpting, singing, farming, building, etc. Find what it is that brings you peace and joy and do that thing. But not for a job. Just for you.

12.  Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.

13.  Chocolate always makes things better.

14.  Take the nap. Seriously. Just take it.

15.  Surround yourself with people who lift you up and encourage you.

16.  Take better care of your teeth.

17.  Read. And then read some more.

18.  You should know why you believe what you believe. Otherwise, your foundation is like sand and will fall away.

19.  Age doesn't necessarily equal maturity.

20.  Peanut butter cookies really do suck.

21.  Always believe in the magic of Christmas and never doubt that miracles still happen.

22.  What goes in must come out, so don't fill your body or mind with crap.

23.  Forgiveness is more for you than for the person you are forgiving.

24.  Choose kindness, but don't let anyone walk all over you.

25.  Let people love you, even when you don't think you deserve it.

26.  Give love, even when you aren't sure the person receiving it deserves it.

27.  Share your toys.

28.  You will lose sometimes. Games, money, precious mementos, people you love. And you will cherish them all the more because it's true that you often don't know what you've got until it's gone.

29. Dogs are just angels who slobber.

30.  "It is better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt." ~ Abraham Lincoln

31.  "He who is good at making excuses is seldom good for anything else." ~ Benjamin Franklin

32.  Never stay with someone would put their hands on you with the intent to hurt you. You are worth  so much more.

33.  Whatever will be, will be. If it's meant to happen, it will happen. The universe is not out to get you. Go with the flow.

34.  You will really only regret the things you never tried.

35.  Actions speak louder than words.

36.  Helping others and volunteering is one of the best ways to take your mind off of your own problems. Helping others helps you feel better.

37.  Laughter really IS the best medicine.

38.  Let your guard down with the person you choose to spend your life with. Share it all. Don't be afraid to shed tears and let them in the dark places. Give your whole self to the one you love. And give them a safe place to do the same.

39. Be honest in your work and in all the little things. If you can't be trusted with little, you won't be trusted with much.

40.  Be happy in whatever circumstance you find yourself. Look for the silver lining. Choose joy and gratitude in all things.

41.  Eat the dessert but don't be gluttonous.

42.  Do your best to make a good impression but don't get stuck on what others think of you. Be true to yourself.

43. Do the right thing. And when you do the wrong thing, make it right.

44. Say what you mean. Mean what you say. Keep your word.

45. It's okay to ask for help.

46. The answer to the meaning of life is: LOVE.  Love your neighbor as yourself. 

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. (1 Corinth. 13:4-8(a))

And there's still so much more I've learned and have yet to learn. So grateful for this life I've been given. Thank you to each of you who have had a part in my play. It would not be complete without you. <3

He Lived

"And, while Cinderella and her prince did live happily ever after, the point, gentlemen, is that they lived."

Living. That's the point, isn't it? We are all born, and we all will die. It's what we do with the living years that really matter.

I have reached a realization that with all I have shared with each of you about how Dale died, I have failed miserably in sharing with you how he lived.  And that's really the point, isn't it? Because how someone dies is only a small part of their story.

I'd like to introduce you now to a fine, sweet man whose name was Robert Dale Cameron. He was born on August 25, 1960, and he died on August 20, 2009. This is how he lived:

Ch-ch-ch-changes

Good Friday and Easter commemorate the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, so it's only natural that my thoughts wander to the many ways this is experienced in our lives. From the very hungry caterpillar resurrecting to a beautiful butterfly to the addict who finds new hope and life in sobriety, starting over is a concept we all both struggle to attain and struggle to deal with, simultaneously.

Follow Through

I have a follower who works at a community mental health organization and is a master's of social work candidate from Michigan State University.  This friend asked to share with me and each of you the importance of continuing therapy after an assault, trauma or in instances of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). My friend's hope, like mine, is that by sharing their experiences with you, maybe, just maybe, we can help at least ONE person because EVERY single person is worth helping.  This is what they shared with me and what I would like to pass on to each of you:

Very Inspirational Blogger Award

Who? Me?

Happily surprised, I was, to wake up this morning and see that I had been granted the Very Inspiring Blogger Award by The Misadventures of a Bipolar Girl and then again later in the day by Mrs. Nelson's Math Tutoring! It does the heart good to know that others find you "inspiring".

Now, to the rules. There are always rules. I must post 7 interesting things about myself.  Seven. Interesting. Well, here we go:

1.  I am not left handed.

2.  I played softball when I was a kid. I wasn't all that great at it, but I could run fast!

3.  I was a cheerleader for 3 years in high school, and it was the most rewarding experience I had in school. I can still do a cartwheel!! Ok, my wrists can hardly take it, but I can do it!

4.  I love Taco-flavored Doritos, Sons of Anarchy and iced tea. All three of them at the same time is like heaven on earth. On certain days, you can substitute Mad Men for Sons of Anarchy and it'd still be heaven.

5.  I can type almost 140 words per minute. Don't get into a chat battle with me. I'll win.

6.  I have naturally curly hair. And when I say "naturally curly hair", I mean a frizzball on the top of my head.

7.  I have awesome friends and family who support me and my desire to raise awareness about suicide and other mental health care issues.

Okay now that we have that out of the way, I must now nominate 15 other bloggers to receive this award.  I find inspiration in the blogging world over and over again, so this should be somewhat easy peasy.

1.  What I Really Meant to Say Was
2.  Sole Searching Mamma
3.  Razorblade Brain
4.  My Daily Jenn-ism
5.  Martha Stewart Doesn't Live Here
6.  I Want a Dumpster Baby
7.  Frugalista Blog
8.  Four Plus an Angel
9.  fireandrabbits
10.  Diary of a Mad Woman
11.  Curveballs - The Crumb Diaries
12.  ADD Music Mamma
13.  Scarred for Life
14.  My Children Think I'm Perfect
15.  Adventures of NinjaMama

Please go check out these fabulous bloggers!!