Lucky Dorito

The past few years, I’ve taken a moment each birthday to evaluate *where* I am in life and to sort of see *where* I’m going. Maybe to see if I’m still on the path or if I’ve wandered astray without even knowing it. So, in honor of remembering life lessons, I’ve written a list of things I’ve learned so far… some I’m still trying to learn. Year 40 of my life was very educational and introspective for me. Each year since just seems to get even more so. I started this list at 41 and I keep adding to it each passing year.

1. I can say NO, and lightening will NOT strike at my feet.

2. Loving with your whole heart is what it’s all about. Really.

3. I have a lot to offer someone, regardless of what that insecure little monster sitting inside my head tries to tell me.

4. I don’t have to be doing something productive every moment. Life goes on.

5. I’m never going to be good at balancing my checkbook to the penny or even care enough about it to make the effort.

6. I cannot now nor will I ever be able to carry a tune worth a darn but I still love to sing. Who cares? Just don’t ride in a closed car with me…

7. I am not a doormat any more.

8. You can learn to care about and even love someone you’ve never met before through the power of their words alone.

9. I’ll never be as thin as I once was… but I can learn to be comfortable in this skin I’m in anyway.

10. I don’t care what anyone else says, I’ll always have to work something out on my own – in my own time, anyway.

11. It won’t kill me to try something new every now and then.

12. Quit letting my past hold power over me.

13. In a few years, will all the little things I lose sleep over really matter?? Get over it.

14. Just because something is ‘right’ or ‘works for you’ doesn’t mean I have to do it.

15. It is OK to be different than everyone else.

16. I can be moved to the core by the sheer power of the written word. Maybe even more so than a spoken one.

17. I can be easily persuaded… still.

18. I’m not “immune” to everything – some of it gets in when I’m not expecting it to.

19. I will always make a few mistakes – it’s human.

20. The value of friendship should always be recognized and celebrated.

21. I’ll always be proud and supportive of my children, despite their choices in life.

22. I’m far from perfect, but I’m really not that bad.

23. I have been given many blessings in this life; healthy children, enough money to live on, a roof over my head and food in my belly every day. What could be more important than that?

24. It’s ok to just enjoy life… and not have to work so hard at it all the time.

25. I can and should remember to take the high road – it makes me feel better about myself.

26. I’m still learning to accept a compliment gracefully.

27. I may never completely “grow up” if listening to LOUD music means I’m still a kid.

28. It’s ok to look to my sisters for approval and validation.

29. I may always have some part of me that “thinks like a child” but hopefully “acts” like a grown-up.

30. I was born to live where I could see the ocean, this I know to be true – but somehow I have to make peace with the fact that it MAY NEVER HAPPEN!!

31. I have to learn to cultivate that powerful feeling of peacefulness and fulfillment that I have when sitting in the sand, staring at the ocean – when I’m not there. (This one I’m seriously still working on….and struggling…)

32. I need to learn how to not wear my heart on my sleeve all the time.

33. Look for the silver lining.

34. Whatever doesn’t kill me really will make me stronger.

35. My children will be grown and gone in a blink – treasure every day.

36. On the worst days, chant to myself, “I can do it, I can do it, I can do it.” Because I can do it.

37. Don’t take myself so seriously. It’s ok (and healthy) to laugh at myself!

38. Whoever said a woman hits their sexual peak in the late 30’s to early 40’s were dead on correct.

39. Carbs are not the root of all evil, taken in moderation.

40. Music will forever have the ability to transport me through memories to a different time and place.

41. I quite possibly might always be a hopeless romantic.

42. Life is short … remember to make the most out of it.

43. When you say it – mean it.

44. The Lord can bring things heavy in my heart when He wants me to deal with it. Knowing this does not make it easier.

That’s it… end of list. All I’ve learned in my life…. in a nutshell. So far anyway.
But I hope I’ll continue to learn – that’s what it’s all about, right?

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