So, call me a slacker, but I haven’t written a “10 Things” post all year! What???? I’ve written drafts and hard copies with a pen and paper, but they never made it here. I’m a bit embarrassed. Well, let’s just say this year has started off with a bit of challenges. See that little guy with me above? That is my puppy Hamilton or Lil Ham. I haven’t had a dog since I was a kid so this was a game changer and took some time to get used to a new routine. Then my husband injured himself in January and I followed by injuring myself in February. I’m still dealing with some issues with a pinched nerve and trying to manage the pain. Now it hasn’t all been bad, but we really needed to take a step back from things and focus on what was right in front of us. We learned about teamwork, asking for help, and how to prioritize. All in all I’d say we are better off for the hand that we were dealt. Any way here is the scoop!
Life Lessons for 2020:
10. Don’t ask for advice online unless you are ready to hear things you might not like.
( Some folks might be surprised to learn about my injury as I haven’t mentioned it online. I have been handling it with my own doctors and had no interest in people offering their opinion on what I should be doing. I see people asking for advice online all the time then they get mad when someone tells them their thoughts and that they think you are seeing the wrong doctor or taking the wrong approach. Just don’t do it unless you can handle it. )
9. It’s not about who doesn’t “help”. It is about those that show up. ( I think sometimes we put energy into the people that disappoint instead of celebrating who is there for you. Celebrate the good stuff and let the rest go. They don’t have time for you or your family don’t waste time on them.)
8. Be the person that acts, not just offers. ( We have all done it. “Let me know if you need anything.” Well, one of my goals this year is to take action. If someone you know is in need just do something. Don’t wait for them to ask. It is hard for people to ask for help. A small gesture goes a long way.)
7. Saying “yes” to things is just as important as saying no! ( The last few years I have been getting good at saying no to things that don’t make me feel good or are just too much. This year I am focusing on saying yes. I have been pushing myself to say yes to things. Things like meeting up with friends when I might be tired, attending an event I might feel uncomfortable at to show support to someone, and letting my house be a mess so I can go for walk. Saying yes to myself.)
6. You have control over social media whether you use it or not is up to you. ( The control I’m talking about is blocking, unfollowing people, and leaving groups. If you feel bad more than you feel good, you need to evaluate who and what is in your feed. Trust me, you won’t miss anything unfollowing these people. )
5. When used correctly social media is an amazing tool that connects us. (Thanks to social media we were able to raise funds to send my son on a mission trip to Nepal, plus fill a large suitcase with donations for him to take with him. Honestly most of the donations were from friends and family far enough away that we would have never been able to reach without social. It is such a gift!)
4. Those people that have been through such unbelievable heartbreak and turn their pain into something to help another….those are the people that inspire me. ( We’ve all had bad things happen to us, but it takes courage to carry that and make something good. It is because of these people that I have faith.)
3. It is time to move on and forgive the past, but not forget it. (I have been accused of not letting go of things and this is true. Somehow it has become clear to me that I can still forgive the past and not forget it. Forgetting things would leave room for history to repeat itself, but forgiving sets you free. You can do both and I have finally found peace.)
2. Keeping a written record of my goals has held me accountable. ( I’ve been keeping of track of my goals on a weekly basis. This gives me a visual cue of my successes and failures. It helps me make adjustments. Honestly, it has changed my life. I might have to write a post about it! )
1. There is no today or tomorrow. It is all about right now because that is all we truly have in the moment. Don’t waste your time judging or comparing your life to others. Say your say and move on…