What I Wish I Had Known

You know what I wish I had known?

1. That you don't and won't always have everything figured out, even when you are thirty-something. I once heard Oprah say that your twenties were for figuring things out. I respectfully disagree, Miss Winfrey. I had some things figured out then. And now I'm thirty-five and figuring it out all over again. So nope, don't think you magically reach an age and suddenly "get it" because you don't. Life is full of figuring things out.

2. That it is okay if your life isn't like you thought it would be.

3. That you can't let other people and their expectations dictate how your life will be. You have to decide for yourself.

4. That you should spend time with your friends, even when you feel like vegging out in front of your t.v. on a Friday night with a pint of Ben & Jerry's. And if you choose movie/pig-out fest, choose to do it with company!

5. That the people in your life are everything. That's what you'll remember when you look back - the people you knew.

6. That saying yes is better than saying no. Say yes as much as you can...as often as you can.

7. That first impressions are deceiving. You never know who is going to be your bff - so give people a chance. People surprise you.

8. That fear gets you nowhere fast. Don't be afraid to try.

9. That it is easy to blame other people. It's much harder to take personal responsibility for why your life is how it is. But it's much more productive in the end to be responsible for you.

10. That there is very little in life you can control. So just go with it because things do have a way of working out in the end.

11. That there is never too much kindness in the world. Never.

12. That you can't ever love enough. And that is why people are everything. All the rest is just details.