Happy Groundhog Day! February 2nd is my birthday, and I am happy to rejoice in the fact I have been blessed with 38 years as of today! I am not terribly old, but I am old enough that I have figured out a few personal truths, or bits of advice, and I thought it would be fun to list these today. These 38 “things” are in no particular order, they are not conclusive of all the lessons I have learned in life so far, and they are my personal opinions which may very well offend some people, and that is OK. It is what it is, so let’s get started with 38 things I have learned…
1.) The best peace-giving gift you can give yourself is to become 100% debt free! Dave Ramsey’s 7 Baby Steps is a great place to start. The sacrifice for a time, is so worth it in the end.
2.) Similarly, stay away from credit cards.
3.) Never take your loved ones for granted! I think that goes without saying, but it is so important!
3.) Wear a hat- not only is it stylish, 40% of your heat escapes out the top of your head.
4.) Red lipstick for daily wear, no special occasion needed.
5.) Age is just a number.
6.) Wash new fabric BEFORE cutting out your sewing patterns, to preshrink it.
7.) Taking 10,000mcg Biotin supplements – game changer for nails, skin, and hair.
8.) Never comply to something (especially under duress) that you know in your heart is not sitting right with you. Trust in God, and leave the consequences of that trust in Him, to Him.
9.)Having a creative outlet is important. For me it is often sewing, blogging, and sometimes making textile designs.
10.) There truly is power in positive thinking (and The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale is such a great book, and it was a significant read for me).
11.) When in doubt, throw it out. I learned this about food in “the danger zone” in 8th grade, but it applies to many situations.
12.) If something is suspicious, follow the money.
13.) Laser eye correction is worth it.
14.) Always be prepared.
15.) Direct sunshine is good for you, as is being nature.
16.) Leaving Facebook was a great choice.
17.) Tailoring your clothing and dressing for your body type is key.
18.) Support local when you can, as much as you can, and boycott companies that you find to be repulsive.
19.) Never underestimate the confidence a med-spa aesthetician and/or salon stylist can provide you through the services they offer. Don’t feel bad about indulging in beauty treatments when it makes you feel good! Life is to short, and don’t care what others think.
20.) Create and stick to a budget!
21.) If as you get older you find you don’t have it in you to work out like you used to, at least do something like going on regular walks. Be forgiving and kind to yourself, and doing anything is better than nothing.
22.) Entering a career as a flight attendant, even though it was NOWHERE on my radar, was the best decision! I love being a flight attendant and I would recommend it to anyone who is seriously thinking about it, and understands that it is a lifestyle change.
23.) Vet your local sheriff, if “SHTF”, this is who will be in control at the most local level, and you want someone with a good head on their shoulders.
24.) Drink plentiful water.
25.) I am glad I took risks. I have learned so much from various “failed” attempts at businesses, moving to NYC when I was 19, trying new things, etc.
26.) Old fashioned hot rollers make fabulous hair.
27.) The older I get, the less I want to do with fitting in with society or being cool with my peers. Much of this is due to the ongoing spiritual battle that the whole world is in. I will also never apologize for loving individual freedom, resisting tyranny, or holding traditional values.
28.) Have a soft heart in a cruel world (the best revenge is to not be like your enemy).
29.) Sometimes the best answer is no answer.
30.) As my husband always says ” Nothing to it but to do it”.
31.) Respect yourself. If you don’t, others won’t either. The world sees what you put out there, so hold yourself to a high standard of grace and elegance.
32.) A new car loses 25% of the price you pay for it, the moment you drive it off the lot. In my opinion, a decent used, “cash car” with no payments is the key to financial happiness if you are not especially wealthy.
33.) Always forgive.
34.) “In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different” – Coco Chanel
35.) Every day list out mentally what you are thankful for.
36.) It takes 21 days to make or break a habit.
37.) I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me.
38.) No matter what happens to you in life, be kind to people.
