Lessons that I have Learned and Loved in 43 Years of Life

43 Years ago I was born 9 lbs and 8oz. There was a blizzard in Pittsburgh and my mom almost didn’t make it to the hospital. I think of those days when my four children were born and how crazy it was to look at them and think of the infinite number of possibilities that lie ahead of them.

I believe each year in life is about discovering a little more of who I am, my purpose on this earth, what gifts I have to share and the things that make me truly happy,  so I can pass those things on to those around me. The beauty of life is that through the years life changes. At 43 these are some of the lessons in life that really speak to me. They aren’t the same as they were at 33 and some will probably not be the same at 53…YIKES!  Each one just headlines a deeper story but I am sure that with many you can attach your own story! Which lessons resonate with you?

1. You never have to deal with more then one moment, one step, one day at a time.
2. You can’t be everybody’s cup of tea…don’t try to be.
3. Anyone can find the dirt in someone…be the one who finds the gold.
4. With many things in life it’s not about the width but the depth
5. As hard as it may sometimes be honesty is always the best policy.
6. You can’t connect the dots looking forward: you can only connect them looking backward
7. Don’t sweat the small stuff…life is way too short
8. Becoming an expert at something usually means there is a minimum of 10,000 hours of work behind it..be patient it takes time to become a master at something
9. Building on the above, the more time you are willing to put in the faster you can make it happen
10. The ability to be happy is nothing other than the ability to come to terms with how things change
11. Wishing things were different is a great way to torture yourself
12. You can have anything in life but you can’t have everything
13. You can’t be everything to everyone
14. If You are good at going fast then you need to practice going slow
15. My children have made me the tiredest that I have felt in life and the happiest that I have felt in life
16. You are a combination of the 5 people that you spend the most time with
17. Always listen to your gut
18. The universe/God /whatever-you-want-to-call-It, tends to know your breaking point. I’ve often found that whenever I get very close to my breaking point, something magical tends to happen. Whether it’s a profound encounter from a stranger or a big break, something always seems to happen whenever I get to a point where I’ve just had enough.
19. Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle or end
20. The gut is the key to most of our health yet we so often overlook it
21. Accept the compliments
22. Everything is connected
23. Karma is real
24. If it’s important you’ll find a way
25. When you realize there are no mistakes in life just lessons life becomes a lot less scary
26. The more I learn the less I realize I know
27. It doesn’t matter if no one else believes in you, what matters is if YOU believe in you
28. Sometimes you have to play the role before you actually can become it…..fake it til you make it
29. 90% of the things that we worry about never happen
30. Age is just a number. It’s our zest for life on the inside and the quality of our life that should define us
31. Exercise makes us physically, mentally and emotionally stronger. It is the quickest way to impact the whole being. Make it a daily priority. Being fit doesn’t mean being healthy. The body, mind and sprit must all be in alignment
32. Travel is one of life’s best investments…take the trip
33. Success is what YOU define it to be
34. Simple is often better
35. Life will let you get away with something for awhile, but sooner or later, you will pay the price. Everything you do in life causes the effects that you experience. When you get the bill you must be prepared to pay.
36. Your struggle is your strength. If you can resist becoming negative, bitter, or hopeless, in time, your struggles will give you everything.
37. There is no balance in life just harmony
38. You have to do the work to reap the reward
39. Strive to become the person you would most like to spend the rest of your life with
40. Life can change in an instant. Don’t take anything for granted
41. Life’s worth is truly defined by a collection of your experiences
42. There is no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a great one
43. The best medicine in life is sleep, exercise, good nutrition, love and laughter.

So there you have it. Some of my favorite lessons that 43 years has blessed me with. I look forward to the many more lessons that life will send my way!

See You in the HOUSE this week!!!