As I venture into 2015, just 2 days short of another birthday, I am reading multiple books and setting goals. I noticed a pattern in many of the things I have been reading lately. It is a sense of accomplishment when the authors of the books reach an age to face some certainties in life. In my younger years I tended to go whatever way the wind blew. I changed my mind often and failed miserably at trying to get people to like me. Once I learned to like myself and come into my own everything else fell into place. I certainly don’t know everything, but definitely attempt to spend time with those who fill my voids. As I reflect on life so far, here are the things I have learned and feel to be certainties in my life.
You can’t change what you don’t acknowledge. People can tell you your faults all day long, but if you aren’t ready to change you don’t even see them.
You can’t give what you don’t have. I watch young mothers and overworked colleagues volunteering their time and while this is admirable, some of them are overworked and sleep-deprived. I have learned it isn’t selfish to take care of me first. If I am drowning I can’t save anyone else. I need to fix me first in order to give to others.
Nothing happens until you decide. You choose your daily behaviors. No excuses for not enough time or being too busy. You hold the power to prioritize. People do what they want to do and tend to make excuses about the rest. Everyone has 24 hours in the day, what separates us is how we choose to use it. Stop making excuses.
I have a finite amount of time left, whatever it may be. We are all dying. I plan to leave no regrets.
Everything I do shows the world who I am. Talk is cheap. Actions do speak louder than words. I choose daily everything I do based on the legacy I will leave and how I can better someone else’s life.
God will move mountains for me, but only if I am ready to move myself. God provides opportunities, but I have to put in the WORK to produce the desired outcome.
The only time we fail is when we quit. I have learned over and over that quitting is the only failure. Even if things do not turn out the way I plan I have every opportunity to get back at it and change the end result as long as I don’t give up.
Character and Charisma are NOT the same thing. Charisma may make people like you initially, but character rings true when there is no audience. Your good character will sustain you when you are all alone.
A contented heart is a happy heart. Money doesn’t buy happiness. Learning to be content with what you have brings the greatest happiness. Be content with your marriage, family, house, car, life. If more people could be content there would be less divorce, less keeping up with the Joneses, and less debt.
There is a God. Yep, it took me a while, but now I speak to him daily, and he shows up all over my life. I don’t believe in coincidences anymore, only miracles.
My children reflect me. So, I have taught them manners, a hard work ethic, and respect. My marriage reflects me. So, I pay attention to my husband and value our relationship. Everything I touch reflects me. Therefore, I will leave it all better than I found it.
When in doubt, choose grace. Wow, this one will change your life. No more anger or getting mad. Just choose grace in your mind and keep quiet. If people want to create their own storm, let them cry when it rains; you learn to dance in the rain.
I make mistakes. Yep lots of them, but I never make the same one twice.
In relationships, the best elephant is a dead elephant. Stop ignoring the problem, and start fixing it. You get nowhere by ignoring it and shoving it under the rug. It just keeps making you trip.
Potential without work ethic is useless. I have several degrees from two different colleges and am working on another certification now from a very prestigious college. Yet, I would probably be the same person without any of them. I have met many a person with the same credentials I have and yet they have accomplished nothing. You have to put in the work.
Collect moments not things. Things will put you into debt and never make you happy. Memories are forever.
Greatness is not determined by what you have, where you’ve have been, or degrees you’ve earned. It is determined by what you give. Use your greatness to make other people better and happy. When you learn to give your gift away that is the true essence of your gift.
I surround myself with people who fill the gaps of my weaknesses and they make me successful. Know what you stink at and hire someone to fill the void. You will know you have found the right person because they don’t consider what they do work, they enjoy it and therefore are successful at it.
Only spend time with people who are happy to be with you. Amen! Stop trying to get family members, in-laws, and work acquaintances to like you. It will never happen with everyone. Most of the time people’s issues with you have nothing to do with you and have more to do with their feelings of inadequacy.
Children, no matter how old, need their parents to be proud of them. Call your kids, if you have them, and tell them how proud you are. They need to hear it. All children feel the longing to be loved and accepted by their parents.
Make everybody feel like a somebody. Always help people feel good about themselves. They will treasure that and you.
Cancer Sucks. I watched it take my grandfather and this year the very life and essence of several friends. I am definitely certain cancer sucks.
