top ten

in a moment of reflection i started to flip through my journal from the past twelve months and i realized  i really have learned a lot in 2013.  and i feel like it would be unfair for all those lessons to be kept to myself...after all

You must learn from the mistakes of others.  You can't possibly live long enough to make them all yourself. 

Sam Levenson 

honestly, i could write a book about all the lessons i've learned.  but instead i'll share the top ten that have served me well (or that i've had to learn the hard way) this year...

1 - it's not so much a question of whether or not you like someone, rather how does that person need to be loved?

2 - It is amazing that relationships last, progress to marriage, and even last after that.  Just one more proof that God exists

3 - Love is what truly changes people

4 - If you don't love what you're doing (work, study, life), you're doing it wrong.  Once you stop worrying about how much you like/hate it and start worrying about how you'll use it to help other people, you'll find happiness and peace

5 - (my favorite.  i should start taking my own advice sometime) what you feel is what you feel.  you cannot change that.  what you can change is what you choose to do with those feelings-they can empower you or destroy you.
               5a - the same principle applies for the past.

6 - LIFE matters--living, breathing, organic life.  and nothing else

7 - life doesn't always go as planned.  that's what keeps it fun, interesting, exciting
     7a -- and as long as you're constantly focused on improving your relationship with God, everything will fall into place

8 - it is good to be independent and self-sufficient.  however, there are some things in this life that simply cannot be done alone.  these are opportunities to demonstrate our faith to God and love for Him as we take His hand and let go of everything else

9 - (okay maybe this one is my favorite) it's okay (and necessary) to be sad and broken and to doubt for a while.  as long as those drive you to your knees in a sincere plea to God, they will be for your benefit

10 - i am loved.  i am utterly convinced of this.  i am loved, and not just by my mom.  also my siblings, my friends, my extended family, my boss, my dad, and above all, my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

maybe you'll find some of these useful to you.  maybe you think they're all just rubbish.  but they've definitely helped me in my journey to become what i'm striving to become.  i wish you all the best in 2014.  there will be moments of tears and moments of pure joy, but no matter the circumstances you're constantly moving...just look to the light and you'll surely be moving in the right direction.

float on