Lessons I’ve Learned from 20 Years of Living

I recently (2 months ago) welcomed another whirl around the sun as I turned 20 years old.  It was weird to think that I finally finished my years as a teenager.  I still don’t pay my own taxes and like to think of a grilled cheese as its own food group, but 20 gets me some street cred!  Being a reflective person in general, my birthday got me thinking, “What has my life taught me so far?”  I could dive deeply into a few key pieces of advice, but instead of my usual diary-esque blogs, I decided to switch it up. Here’s a jumbled up list of lessons, big and small, that I’ve learned since I came into this world…

Wear whatever the hell you want.

Mom is usually right.

Not everyone will stay in your life forever. That’s ok!

Tolerance does not mean only respecting opinions that agree with your own.

Ask the barista how their day is going.

Get off Instagram and finish your book.

Love is selfless.

You’ve still got a metabolism, eat the cupcake.

If someone wants to be a part of your life, they’ll make it known.

Call home more.

It’s ok to stay in and take a night to yourself instead of going out.

Stop over-thinking.

There’s no such thing as too much glitter.

If it won’t matter in five years, it’s not worth your tears.

Life’s too short to stay in one place.

High school boys are just that…high school boys.

A major that makes you happy always wins over one that will make you money.

Be on time.

Don’t feel guilty for saying “no.”

You’re the only person who can make yourself happy.

Make plans instead of waiting for someone else to invite you out.

Working out will make you feel 100% better when you’re mad.

Surround yourself with friends who only have your best interests in mind.

Those friends will get you through the tough days.

Dogs over cats any day of the week.

Journal more than five days out of a year.

Fear is the epitome of all “what if’s.”

Eat the last piece of candy every once in a while instead of offering it to someone else. *GASP*

Listening is often more helpful than unsolicited advice.

Dance away the stress.

Sometimes, you just can’t control the way things turn out.

Big Mac sauce on fries, enough said.

Let people know you love them.

Quirky is GREAT, and someone calling you Jess from New Girl  is a compliment.

Urban Outfitters vinyls are overpriced.

Prayer isn’t a Jesus ATM… Be thankful for your blessings.

Sensitivity is a blessing and a curse.

Make more statements, ask less questions, trust yourself.

Stay curious.

Dye your hair blue, hair grows back.

The game of “who can care less” is overrated.

Take constructive criticism with grace and class.

Stand up for yourself.

Your sister is your partner in crime.

A leap of faith is worth whatever the outcome may be.

 

Alright, think I covered enough bases with those! Hopefully some of this resonated with whoever’s reading this.  I know it makes me feel more connected to this world when I read about struggles or life hurdles others have overcome that are similar to my own.

xoxo,

Mollz

 

 

 

My Unending Inner Monologue: Pride Versus Humility

Sunday night gave me a much needed wake-up call.  A couple of my friends brought me to their Christian youth service, and the message the pastor focused on gave me the clarity I’ve been praying for all summer.

He centered his talk on a a few versus of Scripture:

“When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable:  “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited.  If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place.  But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests.” (Luke 14:7-10)

The passage takes a few reads to let it fully soak in, but the message is so worth it.  The pastor used the verses to emphasize the importance of humility.  It’s almost second nature for people, including myself, to try to prove themselves as worthy to others, and therefore refer to themselves as the most important person in the room.  However, God asks us in the second half of the passage to humble ourselves, and therefore give others the opportunity to recognize our amazing attributes on their own.

Have you ever caught yourself asking someone else a question in hopes of sharing your own opinion instead of listening to theirs? I know I have.  This metaphorically seats yourself at, “the places of honor at the table.”  Tough cookies, but you’re not always going to be the most important person at the frat party or birthday brunch.  If you create endless expectations for others to tell you you’re important, the only result will be constant disappointment.

I don’t consider myself more important than those around me, but I’m definitely guilty of bragging about my successes and sacrifices.  Feeling proud of my accomplishments isn’t a bad thing.  Losing humility in the process, however, is an entirely different story.  The theme of fame changing people perfectly personifies this idea.  When people forget where the line is that separates celebrating one’s blessings and acting like you’re better than everyone else, the ego takes over.

Humility has also helped my struggle with my focus on the judgement of others.  Not only does it enable me to strengthen my genuine interest in others’ lives, it also relieves the pressure I feel when I assume they judge me.  I’m not the center of most peoples’ attention, so that means I can take the stick out of my ass that makes me worried about looking like an idiot.  If I unreasonably think people care about my life to an unhealthy degree, it makes it so much harder to let loose and enjoy my time with the people I love.  Holding myself back in that way could also keep me from fostering new relationships and opportunities in life.

Going forward, I want to use these verses to take my selflessness to the next level.  I’ll see what I can give to others without the hope of receiving anything in return.  This bite of wisdom just refocused my energy in the most positive way!  

xoxo,

Mollz