In one week, my best friend Linda's daughter, Haley, will turn 21. Twenty-One! Every time that fact passes through my mind I have to shake my head in disbelieve. Where has the time gone?!? She has grown into such a beautiful young lady -- we are so very proud of her!
Thinking back on my 21st birthday, there are so, so, so many things I wish I would have known. I guess "known" might be the wrong word. Some things I probably "knew" just didn't really believe them when people told me. I mean, come on. You're 21 -- you know it all at that age, don't you!
Well, Haley -- here goes. I'm going to be that older adult trying to give you life advice right when you already thought you knew it all. I'm going to lay out 21 tips for your 21st birthday that I truly wish I would have taken more seriously at your age. I'll break out 10 today and 11 next Thursday. So, Haley -- here's my thoughts for you as you turn 21.
1. Find a Friend
Your mom and I have been friends since the 6th grade. We've cried together, laughed together, and everything in between. She has patiently listened to me go on and on and on about things I'm sure she thought was really not that big of deal. But that's what really great friends do -- they are there for each other. To have a friend, you need to be a friend. So be patient and put in the effort. The reward will be worth it!
2. Love Your Mom
No, seriously - LOVE YOUR MOM! She has done more for you than anyone ever will and is your biggest supporter. Don't ever forget or take advantage of that. She loves you and she will always, always, always support you. Her feelings are not ones you should take advantage of or mistreat (not that you do - I'm just sayin').
3. Listen To The People That Love You
They may not be saying what you want to hear, but they are sharing their feelings with you because THEY LOVE YOU! Respect their opinions. Sometimes people love us more than we love ourselves. Their opinions deserve to be heard without judgement. Sometimes they might even be right.
4. Laugh
Don't hold back laughter! As a matter of fact, keep some funny stories in the back of your mind to pull out and just have a little chuckle. You know plenty of really funny stories about your mom and I to keep you laughing for the rest of your life. Pull them out - have a laugh. It can really improve a bad mood.
5. Pick Being Happy
Speaking of bad moods -- remember, you CHOOSE your mood. Only you can decide what your mood is going to be. Pick being happy. Don't waste your precious time on this earth being grumpy. Grumpy doesn't look good on anybody.
6. Listen to Your Gut
Your mom has modeled good behavior for you all your life. You know the difference between right and wrong, good and bad. If you sit very quietly and really think about something, your gut will tell you if you should or shouldn't do whatever you're thinking about. Trust your gut -- if you listen, you'll pick the right answer every time.
7. Enjoy Good Sunsets
You never really know which sunset may be your last. If you see a good one, pause for a moment, soak it in and smile. Some things are just too beautiful to let pass by without enjoying it for a minute.
8. Be Spontaneous
Some of my best moments come from being spontaneous. You can sleep tomorrow. If an opportunity presents itself, go for it. Get caught up in the moment and be spontaneous. Amazing things happen on a whim.
9. Play in the Rain
Let's face it -- you're never too old to play in the rain.
10. Have One Good Meal in Your Recipe Box
Know how to cook one spectacular meal. You never know when you might want to cook dinner for someone so have one good meal you can whip up with ease. If you want to practice, I'll gladly be
your guinea pig.
Digest this installment of my first 10 things for you and I'll be back next Thursday to wrap up my 21 things with the last 11.
Enjoy more Thoughts for Thursday at
