What I've Learned in My 27 Years

As of tomorrow (at 8:15 p.m. if you ask my Mom) I will be 27 years old. As I look back and reflect, 26 has truly been one of the best years of my life--mentally, physically and spiritually. Life wouldn't be so great if we didn't learn and improve along the way, so I wanted to share some of my lessons with you all.

Looking forward to a pseudo-fab 27! HAPPY BIRTHDAY NAT!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!

*CHEERS*

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1. That I'm a twin because God knew I would need someone there to make me strong, even if I didn't realize what she was doing. Couldn't ask for anyone better in my life than you. You're my heart. <3 you super much! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

2. Siblings are God’s way of knowing that you'll stumble and will need people to catch you before you fall. My sisters and brother truly are my rocks and I thank God for them everyday. <3 My Maggot and Rich the Man!!!

3. That Mommy and Daddy are not superhuman. But they are super humans. They make mistakes like the rest of us and that's perfectly OK. Which means I’m allowed to make mistakes and not kill myself over them. <3 Mommy Dearest and Daddo!!

4. That not everyone is meant to be in your life. Sometimes you just can't get along with everyone. This helps me cherish the fabulous friends I have. Love you bestie!

5. That love really isn't all you need. Love takes time, patience and effort. And a willingness to cultivate an initial spark and a commitment to that one person. It also means knowing when it's time to let go. Miss you...so happy you’re doing well…

6. That true love really does conquer all. It may not be in the form you expected, or wanted, it to be, but it conquers all. This past year has been such a test and you rode through it with me. Never can say I love you to you too many times. I mean it every single time.

7. That not everyone deserves to have weight in how you live your life. My mom used to say "opinions are like assholes...everyone has one." It's so true. When you try to live up to everyone's standards, you stop living your life. So pick a few valued people and listen to their opinions. Then live your life.

8. That passion is a gift. People wish they had things to be passionate about. I thank God everyday for my love of music and visual and written art. Those are my passions. Those things that no one can ever take away from me.

9. That your body really is a temple. No one will value you if you don't value you. This refers to mental and physical health. And, quite surprisingly, you'll find that when you're body is in order, your mind will soon follow. And vice versa.

10. That more is said in silence than in a thousand words. If we took more time to listen, we would realize that most of the things we jump to get worked up over aren't even worth unsettling our peace of mind.

11. That, sometimes, the thing that scares you the most is the exact thing you should do.

12. That the most fabulous things in life never "just happen." You work toward them. Then, when you are at the place when you can handle the fabulousness, it happens. You can't be idle and expect it to fall on you. Gotta hustle.

13. That there will always be someone who can do it better than you. The difference between you and them should be the fact that they are not willing to work their ass off and you are.

14. If you trip too hard you'll fall. So stop tripping.

15. People who are genuine don't start a sentence with "I'm the kind of person." Substantive people show you who they are. Those that "tell" you who they are almost always posers who will tell you anything you want to hear.

16. "When people show you who they are, believe them." - Dr. Maya Angelou

17. "Looking for closure" is an excuse. No matter who ended it. It's done. Accept it so you can move on. Find closure in being done.

18. You cannot spend time scared that you'll hurt the feelings of someone who clearly doesn't care about yours. You have to look out for your own sanity at all costs.

19. There are people in this life who don't deserve to have you in theirs. Is that bourgeois? Probably? Is it true? Absolutely.

20. My pride may very well be the reason I miss out on some great people and experiences in life. I'm stubborn and I live inside my head entirely too much. But I know this about myself, and I accept it. So I deal with the repercussions of it. But I don't make apologies for it. It's who I am.

21. Never become consumed by other people's problems. You have some, deal with your own. And if you don't have any, that's problem number 1.

22. Lying to yourself is the worst kind of lying you can do. Be real with yourself. That awakening, when you realize you've been lying to your self, is rude.

23. Knowing what you don't want is, sometimes, more important than knowing what you do want.

24. "The only constant in life is change."- Oprah Winfrey

25. That life, and the journey it is, is such a blessing. Take time to look around and breath. Breathe and live each moment, because you'll never live in that breath again.

26. That the world will go on with or without you. Make moves so that it's a better place with you.

27. That lessons are best learned through experience, so even the tough times are to be appreciated.

BONUS!!! That life, for me, has really just begun!

*Cheers to 27!!!*

Steph