In 27 Years I Have Learned

I am 27 years old today.  I remember being a child who thought that the year 2013 was some kind of space-age-and having no idea of what time really was I never imagined I'd see it.  However, here I am.  It's 2013 and I turn 27 years old officially at 8:15pm tonight.  In 27 years on this planet I have learned so many lessons and been through so many different experiences, both good and bad, and I wouldn't trade them for anything because I am finally becoming the woman I needed to be.  Every step or misstep has led me to where I am today, and who I know and love today.  

In 27 years I have learned...

That I am perfectly flawed, and that's okay.  I make mistakes, I put my foot in my mouth, I'm too loud/brash/honest sometimes, I speak before I think, I lash out when I'm upset, and more... But that does not mean I'm a bad person-it just means there is room for improvement.

You get what you give out. If you put good into the world, good comes back.  If you put negativity out, expect it back plus some.

Alone doesn't mean lonely.  You don't have to be in a relationship with someone else to be happy-you must learn to develop a relationship with yourself.  Being in relationships for the sake of not being alone just leads to infinitely more heartache.

Don't settle for someone who doesn't love you back.  It's really that simple. You deserve more.

People are inherently good. In the face of devastating tragedies amazing people arise and show you just how good we are as a whole.  People donate time, money, and their whole lives to help those in need-sometimes without any kind of thank you or reward or even being asked to.

Different isn't bad, just different.  It's okay to disagree.  We all have our own views on life, politics, religion, etc... It's okay not to agree-life would be boring if we felt exactly the same.  Just because I don't agree with you, doesn't mean I have to hate you or lash out at you to make you believe the same thing as me.  I wish more people understood this!

You have to love yourself at all stages of your journey.  I may still struggle with this sometimes  but I know it's true.  I may be working myself towards a new body, but I'm trying very hard to love every weight and size along the way-I am beautiful still!

Start Now.  They say "a year from now you'd wish you'd started now" and it's true.  I wish I'd started so many things I wanted to start years ago, because I'd be there now.  Oh well, time to start NOW.

Let go of the past.  Seriously.  It's over and done with, so there's no use holding on to it and struggling with it.  The only place you can be is the now, and the only thing that can change is the future.  The past is dead.

You can't change people.  I'm not saying people wont change, just that you can't change them.  People will only change on their terms and for their own reasons, and trying to change them not only hurts them, but hurts you.  If you can't accept and love/live with the way people are at this very moment, move on.

It's OK to walk away.  If a person no longer brings light into your life-it's alright to walk away from a relationship that no longer serves you.  Be it romantic, friends, family, etc.  It doesn't mean you have to cut them out of your life completely (unless it's necessary for your own well-being) it just means they don't have to be an integral part of your existence anymore.

If you love it, give it your all.  You have to put forth an effort.  If you love your job, a hobby, or even a person-give that everything you have!  Don't let anyone bring you down for being devoted to those things you want.

I am stronger than I think.  So often I'm afraid.  I'm afraid to put myself out there and get a broken heart again, afraid to try and fail at something, or just plain afraid of the whole world in general.  I get anxiety.  But looking back I realize that I am so much stronger than I think!  I have made it through so much and will make it through more to come!

What are some valuable lessons you have learned?