4 BIG Things I Learned From 2013...

So we're in a brand new year already. Wow how time really flies so fast! So I took the first couple of days of 2014 to review my life and what I have learned through all the joys and pains that 2013 brought my way. Well, there were many lessons to learn, of course. But I'm gonna share some 'big' lessons I learned (not listed in any particular order of priority). Here we go!

 

1. Everything has its season. This is also one important lesson I learned the hard way this year. One thing ends, another thing begins. I'm not a big fan of change, so I don't really like it but I know that everything has its season. You just can't be in the same chapter anymore. If you're stuck in the same chapter, you can't grow. One of the most frustrating things in life is when it's time to move forward, it's time, but we don't want to move at all because we're too afraid to let go of the old things. Change happens. Welcome change. 

2. Open your heart, but guard it. I’ve always believed that it’s good to see the best in people and I will always stand by that. However I’ve learned the hard way that you can save yourself a lot of heartache by trying to be objective at the same time. It doesn’t pay to believe everything everyone says just because you want it to be true. See people for what they are and not what you want them to be and proceed accordingly. Don’t seek love. Be love, and give love.


3. If you like it, I love it! It’s a struggle to constantly remind myself that as individuals we all have our own paths to follow and some people have to learn the hard way.  In an effort to avoid playing the martyr I’ve created one rule for myself: If you like it, I love it!  You have two times to take my (solicited) advice & if you repeat the same behaviors, I’ll just take it to mean you’re happy with your situation, and I’ll stop offering.  I refuse to stress over other people’s problems that don’t affect me.  But I warn you: don’t complain to me about things that you are unwilling to change. I will just as politely dismiss you. I don’t have time for the tears and self-pity from those who choose to do nothing to change their circumstances.

4. Hope is not a strategy. If you get to the point where you “hope” you don’t get ruined, then you did something wrong beforehand. For instance, if you plan a wedding outside and you don’t have a backup plan in case it rains, then you probably mis-planned your wedding, unless you are getting married in a desert. “Hoping” is not a bad thing. I hope that every day my life goes perfectly. But if hoping is the only thing I’m relying on, then it means I didn’t really look at all the possible outcomes of something that was important to me.

So here's to all that 2014 has to offer and I embrace it a little stronger and a lot more wiser!