Now that my latest birthday has come and gone, I'm officially over the hill en route to 30. What made this one so special was that I actually got to be home, surrounded by the family that I love dearly. It also gave me the opportunity to look back on some old memories and reflect on some of the best and worst.
As I perused through pictures, poems and journals, I came across some ideas that I scribbled down this year as I traveled. I organized these thoughts and put together 26 things that I learned throughout this year from friends, strangers and my own experiences, of which I am convinced of in my own life. While they may not all resonate with you, I hope that you can hold onto a few of these truths. In no particular order, here are 26 truths I discovered at age 26:
- Self-reflection matters. Writing thoughts down helps.
- We are communal beings.
- You can find an opinion for anything. Your own belief holds more weight.
- Spend time daily in God's presence.
- The past is where it is for a reason. Don't dwell on it.
- Worrying is the best way to have a head full of grey hair.
- Wisdom is far more valuable than gold.
- Death is inevitable. Tomorrow is never guaranteed, so live your life now.
- Even Superman has a bad day.
- Campfires, mountains and crisp air quench the soul.
- Traveling is the best high.
- Story telling brings strangers together. You'll be surprised how many people can relate to yours.
- Breaking rules should appropriately fit into your routine.
- R-E-S-P-E-C-T
- Forgive, hold no grudges, and love thy neighbor.
- No one will ever truly have it all figured out.
- Complacency kills. Shake it up as often as possible.
- Loving others and giving selflessly go hand in hand with happiness.
- There are people who will do things for you for which you'll never be able to repay them. Pay it forward instead.
- Finding your purpose involves finding your faith.
- Laughter = Longevity. Belly laughing once a day keeps the doctor away.
- As we get older, the need to rewire our brain becomes much more important. Tunnel vision dampens life.
- The perfect time is now. Someday isn't a day.
- Achieving your innermost desires comes from hard work, persistence, dedication and a fiery passion to succeed.
- Spend your valuable, precious time with those that matter.
- Don't stop moving. Sleep when you're dead.
What are your top takeaways?
What truths do you live by?
This post was originally published on Quarter for Your Crisis, a catalyst for Millennials to reconnect with themselves, their faith, and the world around them.