Today is my birthday! Yep, today I am officially 33 years old. I tend to get a bit reflective during this time of year and this birthday was no different. One of the most relaxing things is to sit quietly in my own space and just……think. So, here are some things I have either learned, observed, been reminded of or are striving towards in my 33rd year on this earth. Feel free to share your own or add to the list.

1. I am stronger than I realize.
2. It’s ok to just say “NO”, even if the reason fails to make sense.
3. Every painful situation has a bit of humor. Find it and use that to push through and propel forward.
4. A lack of rest really make me have a short fuse. Sometimes rest is not just sleep, but a mental break.
5. “It’s complicated” made more sense than ever this year.
6. Hard times bring out the true colors in yourself, as well as those around you.
7. Opposition is my strongest source of creativity.
8. Pick your battles. Some things are better shown rather than told.
9. Your health is your wealth (mentally, physically and spiritually).
10. God provides provision, even when we can’t see it.
11. There are absolutely no accidental encounters in life. Period.
12. I’m pretty intuitive, but some things I just was not able to predict this year (at 32 years of age). Shocker, right?
13. Life has a way of bringing estranged people back to you, when you are better suited to appreciate them and their perspective.
14. Love is not black and white. There are many more muddy gray areas than absolutes.
15. The bigger the pedestal we put people on, the harder they fall from it.
16. The excuses you make room for are the ones that will hold you back from reaching your greatest potential.
17. Find your peace, even in darkness.
18. People insert their own “truths” into the truths you reveal to them.
19. Own it. Whether it’s a decision, mistake or even a victory, take the credit (and the consequence) for it.
20. If you don’t love yourself, you are ill equipped to love anyone else or expect anyone else to love you.
21. Live in the moment, whether good or bad. Don’t dwell in the bad ones and cherish the amazing ones.
22. Be a sponge. Soak up the environment around you to help you elevate to the next level.
23. You are never too old to change those stubborn things you’ve always done.
24. I am an introvert who likes extroverted things….on my terms of course.
25. It’s ok to not be ok.
26. It’s ok to admit when you need help.
27. My times is valuable and I am becoming more guarded of it.
28. Recognize unhealthy coping methods before they turn into monsters that can’t be put back in a cage.
29. Forgiveness really is for you and not for the other person.
30. People are watching you most during your darkest hours. Don’t let them see you operating outside of your true character.
31. Anything worth having takes some form of uncomfortable discipline and sacrifice.
32. I am striving to be more expectant of positive things.
33. Oh yeah…..Here’s one to grow on. I would be re-missed if I failed to mention that if you’re reading this, you should pick up a copy of my latest poetry book, Commissioned To Love, HERE.