Hi Everyone!
Hope your week is getting off to a blessed start. I know that I said I would be on here more, but I’ve been going through a very interesting period the past few weeks. I know some people like to share their journeys with others as they are on the journey, but I tend to wait until I reach a rest stop or my destination, only because I don’t want to confuse others as with my trip until I know I’m for sure where I’m supposed to be. When I’m there, I’ll share more. Anyways, I had my 35th birthday back in June and thought it was time I posted my list of wisdom tidbits to share with others. Believe it or not, I started this list when I was 29 and planned to post it when I was 30, but time escaped me and after awhile I decided to wait until I turned 35. Needless, to say, this isn’t everything I’ve learned the first portion of my life, but they are the ones I thought I share since they have a universal thread for anyone who’s living and experiencing life. I hope you all enjoy!
1. Know your worth—if you don’t know it and show it, others won’t either. If you are alive, you have worth---if you are a human being you have worth, Christ died because He thought you were worthy. (Psalms 139:14; John 3:16)
2. Life is a serious thing, but it can be funny too---make it a habit to laugh at least once a day. (Job 8:21)
3. Don’t devalue relationships/friendships you had in the past that no longer exist. Just because the relationship didn’t survive the long haul doesn’t mean it didn’t serve its purpose. (Acts 15:39-40)
4. Be willing to forgive---it’s clique I know, but unforgiveness truly does hold you in prison ----emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and sometimes physically (Matthew 6:14-15)
5. Know when to let go---not everything in life is supposed to be forever (relationships, jobs, various statuses, etc.). Your life should be ever evolving and growing and growing.
6. When someone shows you who they are and what they are really about, believe them. Don’t try to justify and/or over-analyze the person (unless you are a therapist providing a diagnosis---smile). Accept the person at face value, be honest with you are dealing with, and decide if this is a person you should be dealing with at this season of your life (this does not apply to married couples). (Matthew 7:16-20)
7. Spend time figuring out who you are. Don’t let others define you for you. What you mean to others, might not be what you mean to yourself. Know who you are, so you can truly be you and do you as the Holy Spirit desires.
8. Grieve for whatever loss you encounter, but don’t allow yourself to get lost in your grief. (Matthew 5:4)
9. For Type A only---plans are overrated at times, be able to willingly and happily anticipate unplanned events in life. Doing so adds a little color and variety to an otherwise mundane lifestyle. (Proverbs 16:9)
10. Don’t be jealous or envious of others. Yes, they may have something you want, but you’ll never know the cost they had to pay to get it. (Psalms 37:1-3; James 3:16)
11. Limit interactions with toxic people. (1 Corinthians 15:33)
12. For women only: If a guy cares and loves you, you’ll know it. However, if you were emotionally wounded before and do not know what true friendship and love looks like, then you should seek spiritual and godly counseling (not kidding !) Don’t allow a guy to tell you he cares about and loves you, but isn’t able to back it up with his actions. (Ephesians 5:25-27)
13. Don’t let your 20s define the rest of your life---good or bad.
14. Stay the course, don’t give up on your dreams. However, if you know beyond a shadow of a doubt God is trying to change your heart, and because of that it will change your dreams, just accept God’s way---it may not be easy, but in the end it’s always better and sweeter. (Isaiah 55:8-9)
15. Continue to be steadfast and faithful when what you are holding out for hasn’t manifested, but God promised it would come to pass. (Colossians 1:23)
16. Try to develop a healthy lifestyle (enough sleep, eat well, stay active/fit, etc.). (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
17. Once a year try to do a least one thing that you don’t think you can do. (Philippians 4:13)
18. Have to do lists and don’t procrastinate too often, it adds unnecessary stress.
19. Try to figure out your foundational belief/values are before and during your 20s, that way you can walk into your 30s with more confidence.
20. Look at 12/5/10 for relationship advice.
21. Take time to re-evaluate your life periodically to take stock of whether you’re heading the direction Holy Spirit has intended for you. (Psalms 119:59; 2 Corinthians 13:5)
22. For ladies—always have tinted lip gloss and mascara handy---it can do wonders.
23. If you don’t enjoy your own presence, how can you expect others to? Be comfortable being alone and having quiet time and/or doing activities you like on your own.
24. Explore different places and activities when possible.
25. Live within your financial means. The less you owe to others, to more you have to sow to others.
26. If you haven’t done it yet, develop your quiet time with God, get to the point where it becomes a necessity to spend time with Him, not a chore, but something you truly can’t live without. (Psalms 91:1)
27. Celebrate and embrace humble beginnings. (Job 8:7)
28. Let your life decisions be led by the conviction of the Holy Spirit and godly counsel, not the opinions of others whose values don’t align with Scripture. (Psalms 16:11)
29. Lean not to your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He’ll direct your path. (Proverbs 3:5)
30. You are a gem, if someone doesn’t see your worth or value, it is because they weren’t supposed to. Remember, gems are hidden so they can be sought by the right person, job, opportunity, etc. at the right time. (Cool tidbit: the book of Esther, which in Hebrew is Hadassah and means “godly hiddenness”)
31. Question the status quo—don’t follow the crowd without having your own solid convictions/reasons for it. (Matthew 7:13-14)
32. Be appreciative of the luxury of freedom. Please don’t take for granted of our dwindling religious freedom i.e. having access to the Bible, gathering with other believers, being able to call yourself a Christian, etc. The day is coming sooner than most know where we won't have these privileges and this period of our lives will be seen as the "good 'ole days".
33. Develop your spiritual foundation, but always continue to be open to realizing that there’s more to learn. The day you think you know everything there is to know about the Holy Spirit, you’ve quenched the Holy Spirit residing in you. (2 Corinthians 3:18)
34. Just because society makes something acceptable, doesn’t mean it is. Culture SHOULD conform to the Word, not the Word to culture. This principle permeates in every area of life. (Romans 12:2)
35. Pray that discernment and wisdom are you constant companions; not everyone has it or will get it, don’t take it for granted. (Proverbs 3:13; Hebrews 5:14; James 3:17)
Until next time...
