Confessions of a 36 year old

Reflecting on my first 36 years, I have learned a few things. These are not all of them and they are in no particular order, but just some of the ones I had on my mind yesterday and wanted to document so that I can remember them.

Seeking out experiences to grow and change is the best way to grow and change.

Everyone needs to be smiled at and befriended. Everyone.

Looking for the good in people is way more fun than looking for the bad.

Sometimes you need to experience a painful sports injury or a severe sickness to appreciate and enjoy a healthy body.

The quote "When life gets to hard to stand, kneel" painted over the word PRAYER on my wall has reminded me over and over that I can get the comfort and support I need 24/7 if I just ask.

Experiencing financial strain helps you appreciate monetary things so much more.

You are in control of feeling stressed, annoyed, angry, whatever! Change it now to what you want to feel! Fake it till you make it!

Living so far from family you love so much helps you appreciate the time you do get to spend with them.

Living close to family you love so much makes the craziness of life a little less crazy knowing you can count on them.

Experiencing rough spots in marriage makes it that much sweeter.

Having a spouse that picks up your slack, can step in and take over when you walk out of the room, and that loves you more than anything is one of life's best gifts.

Life is not about getting somewhere, acquiring something, or accomplishing something. It is about loving those around you, practicing your faith, and being really happy.

Children are a precious gift in this life. No matter what they do, say, or how they act I love them more than words can explain. There isn't anything they can do to change that, including getting older.

No matter how much you want to shelter and protect your children from all you can, you shouldn't. Teaching them is the answer. They need to fail to learn for themselves just as we have done.

If you don't like something your child is doing, take a good look at yourself and make sure you are not the one teaching it to them. In other words, fix yourself first!

If you do something/anything consistently you will get the results you are trying for.

Whatever, however, or whoever you want to be, YOU CAN BE. Learning from those that you want to become like is the best way to do it!

Forgiving yourself can be hard, but not forgiving yourself is harder.

There isn't time to be mad or annoyed with other people. There are just way more important things to do with your time. Getting over it quickly is the best way to go.

Having true friends that love you, can lift you in ways you never thought possible.

You shouldn't waste time waiting for life to get easier. It won't. There will always be challenges and if you are too wrapped up in those you will miss the good stuff.

For me, the last couple years have been the most challenging so far. When this song came out and was on the radio all the time I found myself driving in the car many times bawling my eyes out as I listened to it. I was facing two seemingly insurmountable major challenges simultaneously-which I am still feeling the effects of and will not be over anytime soon. I found the words to this song to be a sort of pep talk, that it is all about the climb and that I gotta keep going even when there are mountains in my way. (If you want to hear the song you can click on the bottom of the blog on The Climb song.)

I can almost see it, that dream I'm dreaming but,
there's a voice inside my head saying, you'll never reach it.
Every step I'm taking, every move I make feels
lost with no direction, my faith is shaking,
But I, I gotta keep trying.
I gotta keep my head held high

There's always gonna be another mountain.
I'm always gonna wanna make it move.
Always gonna be an uphill battle
And sometimes I'm gonna have to lose.
It ain't about how fast I get there,
Ain't about whats waiting on the other side.
It's the climb.

The struggles I'm facing,
The chances I'm taking,
Sometimes might knock me down
But no I'm not breaking.
I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most,
Yeah, just gotta keep going.
And I, I got be strong.

Just keep on pushing on, cuz

There's always gonna be another mountain.
I'm always gonna wanna make it move.
Always gonna be an uphill battle.
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose.
Ain't about how fast I get there,
Ain't about whats waitin on the other side.
Its the climb.
x2

Keep on moving,
Keep climbing,
Keep the faith, babe.
It's all about,
It's all about the climb.
Keep the faith.
keep your faith

Whoa oh oh oh