Something I'm Not (and Life Lessons)

Yesterday, when I was filling out the survey that came along with one of the blog awards, I got stuck. One of the questions asked for "Something that you aren't." I could think of a lot of things that I am definitely not. I am not a boy. Which is important to note because boys are smelly and have cooties. (Okay, so maybe that one is just silly. Hanging out with elementary schoolers all day is rubbing off on me.) Other things I am most definitely not are tall (I'm 5'3"), a redhead (I'm naturally somewhere between a brunette and a blonde), and a star athlete (sports never came easily to me). These are facts. I am definitely not any of those things.

I also thought of a couple of things that I think I'm not. I don't think I'm very outgoing. I'm not usually the most talkative person in the room. I'm not one to get discouraged, most of the time. But I guess there are some days that I am some of those things.

This is what I ended up writing for that question:

14. Something that you aren’t? negative

Negative. I'm not negative. Later, I got to thinking...is this a fact, or does this falls into that second category of things I am usually not? Of course, the more I thought about it, the more my answer to that question seemed like something that I am most of the time. But it's not a fact, because I'm only human.

Something that you aren't? That's where I should have written perfect.

I'm not perfect.

Because sometimes I'm just too tired and I go to bed without washing my face.

Because I screw up and I make mistakes.

Because I have made some just plain awful decisions in my 23 short years of life.

Because I'm not quick to forgive, even though I know I should be.

Because sometimes I just can't let things go.

Because despite the fact that I am usually a positive person, some days just get me down and I can't see anything but the bad.

Because sometimes I when I say I can't do a certain thing, I know in my heart it's because I'm just not willing to try hard enough.

I wanted to share this article I came across the other day about life lessons. A couple of people who I used to work with had Tweeted about it, and when I read it, some of the lessons rang SO true for me. Like I've been there, I totally get it. There were others that are things I need to work on understanding, need to improve on, and need a new perspective about. Because, you know...I'm not perfect. I'm always learning, always changing, and always working on becoming a better version of myself. And that's okay.

I hope you all find it as relevant and inspirational as I did. :)

Regina Brett's 45 life lessons and 5 to grow on

By Regina Brett

May 28, 2006, 10:13AM

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolls over to 50 this week, so here's an update:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Overprepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don't ask, you don't get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

(source)