29 candles .. and 29 life lessons

Hey twenties,

It's been real.
We've laughed, we've cried and we've birthed two kids. Actually, there has been a lot of happenings in our tenure.
Now, I know we're not quite done yet twenties ... we still got 390 days together, but I felt the need to pay homage to you and our fleeting moments
So, in honor of my birthday month, I have compiled a list of 29 life lessons that I've learned.

Trust in God. I'm a planner. I like my plans. Sometimes I have to laugh at this little quirk and remind myself that God has the ultimate plan and it is written in pen. I've spent a lot of my teenage years and early adult life relying on myself. I can honestly tell you that once I began relying on God, things seemed to fall into place a little easier.
Be yourself. Trying to be someone else will just make you look silly. Embrace what makes you who you are - even the odd things. I love me some Steven Seagal and I am completely OK saying it out loud.
In the grand scheme of things, life is short. Don't take it for granted.
Travel. One thing I wish I could have done in college was travel abroad. The world is big, explore it.
Appreciate what you have and don't dwell on what you don't. The grass isn't always greener on the other side. If you don't appreciate what God has already given you, how can you expect to appreciate what is yet to come?
Don't always believe what you hear, read or see. Ask questions. Don't take things at face value all of the time. Explore it yourself and form your own opinion.
Take a path less chosen. It can be intimidating not following the crowd at times. But sometimes the crowd isn't right!
Life isn't always fair. Deal with it. Sometimes we perceive that we get the wrong end of the deal and sometimes we actually do. Everything is not always going to go according to our plan.
There are plenty of right ways to parent. If the kid is happy, healthy and loved - the parent is doing their job. Sometimes, we as a society get too nosey. Too many people love giving unsolicited advice ... oddly enough, no one really loves getting it. I have been guilty of this before (more than once even) and I have been given my fair share of unsolicited advice. Lets just stop parents! Can we make a pact? Can I get an Amen?
Make mistakes, but try not to make them twice. We can only hope to learn from out mistakes, take the lesson and learn from it.
Stand up for what you believe in. People might not always agree with what you believe in, but they will respect you for standing up for it.
Eat at a restaurant by yourself. Be comfortable doing things by yourself on occasion. Sometimes it's nice.
You're not always right. This is hard for me sometimes ... ask the hubby ;o) Tell yourself that from time to time. And being opinionated about everything all the time can be stressful and tiring for everyone involved I'm exhausted writing about it.
Let go of the past. That's where it should stay, in the past. Move forward, live in the moment and look forward to the future you're in the process of creating.
Stop. We live in a world where we are constantly going at 120 mph. We rush and hurry through this life so frantically that we don't even notice or appreciate the awesomeness surrounding us.
Marry your best friend. I am committed to my marriage for the long-haul. Thank you God that Chuck constantly makes me laugh. Things could have gotten boring quick.
Approach an alpaca with caution, they spit. I don't think this one needs too much explanation ... but let me tell you, this was a huge life lesson for me.
Smile at a stranger. It could seriously make someone's day. It has made my day turn around in the past.
Dream big. That's the beauty of dreaming, there is no limit. Don't be afraid to act on a dream. Fear is the Debbie downer of emotions - don't let it win.
Take chances. They may not always pan out, but you will never know if you don't try.
Break someone's heart and have your heart broken. It stinks, but I think it is a necessary part of life.
Say no. It's OK to say no. People will respect you more if you say no to the things you can't commit to yet follow through with the things you can. Fact.
Say yes. Sometimes when you're tempted to say no, don't. It might be fun!
Step outside of your comfort zone. There's a whole new world out there, jump in it.
Own your mistakes and failures. Don't make excuses or blame others. Own it. Learn from it. Make yourself a better person.
Pay it forward. Small gestures go a long way.
Avoid debt as much as possible. Easier said than done, right? With the exception of student loans and home mortgage, we recently became debt free. It was a huge relief. It was nice to simplify life.
Work hard. The most rewarding things in life take work. Set goals and set good examples for your kids. After all they're our future. I know I don't want my son or daughter growing up feeling entitled ... I hope that my husband and I instill a great work ethic into the two of them.

Now, I am off to enjoy my last 25 days of being 28 ....