Life Lessons

For my 33rd birthday, my wonderfully wise mother decided to write down 33 life lessons she wished she knew when she was 33. I was extremely moved and touched by both the significance and simplicity of these “instructions on life” and felt the need to share.

Enjoy.

1) Sense of humor is one of the best traits a person can have.
2) The ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes is huge.
3) Great children can come from not so great families
4) Very few people are “bad”- they (we) just make bad decisions
5) Prayer works
6) GOD is real. Developing a relationship with him is everything.
7) It truly is 10% of what happens to me and 90% how I react to it
8) Everyone is born with a hole in them and they must fill it up with something.
9) You never really get “there”. Enjoy the moment you’re in.
10) Seek advice from those who have experience and are successful at “it”.
11) No matter where you are in your relationships (spouse, children, parents)- seek any tools you can to help make it better.
12) One great prayer for yourself, your children and your spouse: “Dear God, help me (them) make good decisions.”
13) Turning 40 is not so bad.
14) The bible is just an old book with old stories-hard to read until you have a relationship with God- then it becomes ALIVE!
15) One of the hardest things to do- but sometimes best thing to do is to say nothing.
16) Favorite way to answer a question I don’t want to answer: “Why do you ask?”
17) Strive to have the heart of a servant.
18) There are lessons in every situation and usually we are being “tested” in that area to help you “grow” in that area. Don’t miss that!
19) No matter what your relationships with your parents, you will miss them terribly when they are gone.
20) Smile- be pleasant to be around- with family, friends, co-workers and strangers.
21) You never know what someone is going through and why they are the way they are- try to be kind.
22) Salmon stew is better than you think!
23) Live within your means- makes life better.
24) Love and honor in this order- God-Spouse-Children.
25) Being willing and able to pray with your spouse, family every day (mornings are great!) will make for a closer, more intimate relationship than you could ever imagine.
26) Expect great things!
27) Always, always be thankful for what you have.
28) People will forget what you did or what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.
29) Keep family first.
30) If you think it is wrong, it probably is.
31) Learn to listen- REALLY listen.
32) Grandchildren are wonderful!
33) Never miss an opportunity tell your child how much you love them with all of your heart.


Thanks Mom! I love you!