After one of my keynote speeches last month, a conference attendee discussed an exercise she does each year as part of her self-care regimen. She makes a list of things (number of things dictated by her year in age) of all the things she now knows to be true – some funny, some serious. I loved the idea and starting today, on my birthday, here’s my list of 38 things I know to be true.
- Infant farts are funny and adorable.
- Anyone else’s are not.
- Family is who you want to do life with – DNA and genetics have nothing to do with it.
- God is great, but sometimes life isn’t good. (Thank you, Martina McBride!)
- Everyone needs daily doses of personal development. Seriously, get on it peeps!
- My husband and I simply “get” each other, and in those moments, I’m convinced there’s no way I could love him more.
- Listening to my husband eating potato chips makes me want to murder him in his sleep.
- Kindness will get you further than you think.
- Decaf coffee and pie bring me a happiness I only thought occurred during one’s elder years.
- Gratitude can give even a flicker of light during one’s darkest times.
- At any given time, I’m in the middle of reading six different books.
- Postpartum depression is no joke, so be extra kind to new mamas.
- Grief doesn’t have an end or expiration date, though I secretly wish it did.
- I completely understand why Mark Zuckerberg wears essentially the same thing every day – decision fatigue is a real thing.
- Losing two best friends, getting pregnant, buying a house, moving, and having a baby is my new limit for the amount of sh*t that can happen during the course of a year.
- I’m convinced every kiss I get from my oldest son when I drop him off in front of school is my last, and I’m always pleasantly surprised when its not.
- I quote comedians, John Mulaney and Bill Burr, more than I think is socially acceptable.
- I have less tolerance for other’s ignorance and stupidity than I did a year ago.
- I believe people are generally doing the best they can with the tools they have in their toolboxes, and for some, that’s an incredibly sad reality.
- A child was, and always will be, the greatest gift I’ve ever given to my husband.
- Perspective is key to understanding others, forgiveness, and staying grounded.
- Bad dad jokes are starting to be funny…and that’s scary!
- I’m limited only to my beliefs.
- Short sentences and a use of periods vs. a bubbly exclamation point is my form of passive aggressive email communication. I’m sure the person doesn’t even catch it, which makes me wonder why I even bother, but it makes me feel better and saves me from being a complete ass.
- Nature has a beautiful way of reconnecting you to lost feelings, rejuvenating your soul, and bringing you peace of mind.
- Recycle, because have you driven by a landfill lately? Yikes!
- Holding a space of duality (instead of an us vs. them mentality) can build contentedness.
- I love the sun, but will probably never move, and that’s a predicament.
- You can disagree with someone and still respect them as a human being. Try it, I dare you.
- Attempting to grow my hair out is a more painful process than I could’ve ever imagined.
- Smiling can make someone’s day…and tell them you like their hair while you’re at it!
- Snorting when I laugh either makes people laugh (at me I’m sure) or roll their eyes. The “roll their eyes” people are not my people.
- Book stores bring me a sense of calm I don’t commonly find elsewhere…hence the reason for the excessive amount of books I own and the difficulty of focusing on one at a time.
- My parents have always been there for me and I will be forever grateful.
- Handmade kid art is one of my favorite gifts and it warms my heart.
- I will always miss Brian.
- I love the versions of songs my husband sings at home better than the ones on the radio.
- I’m so incredibly blessed, and I thank God for those blessings every day.
