I've experienced a lot of ups and downs over my 45 years here on this crazy planet and I've learned quite a lot along my journey! I've continually pushed myself and explored the world around me and I think that is the key in finding yourself and understanding the meaning of life.

No matter what, don't take anyone's word on anything, figure it out for yourself!

1. The only person you should compare yourself to is you.
2. Nothing is ever as big a deal as you think it is at the time.
3. What other people think of you doesn't matter.
4. Everybody fails. It's what you do after failure that matters.
5. Go with the flow.
6. Take nothing personally. Everyone is dealing with their own shit.
7. Let that shit go.
8. Trust your gut and your intuition.
9. Live in the moment. Forget about the past and don't worry about the future.
10. Don't worry, be happy.
11. Fake it till you make it!
12. Spend time outdoors in nature. Nature moves at a slower pace than we do. We need that in this fast paced world.
13. Wake up early. Sleeping in may feel good at the time but you'll be more alert, healthy and productive if you wake up early.
14. Eat healthy natural foods as much as possible but don't deny yourself treats.
15. Exercise even when you don't feel like it. You'll always be glad you did.
16. Make love not war. We are here to love each other, not kill each other.
17. Be kind to everyone. Even the mean people. You have no idea what demons people are battling.
18. Explore all that the world has to offer - travel, learn.
19. Keep an open mind. If history has taught us anything it is that people always think they know it all, but they are constantly proven wrong. Even now, we don't know it all! People 100 years from now will know much more than us and even then they will not know it all!
20. Live authentically and embrace who you are. Don't try to be what other people want you to be. You are important and valuable just the way you are.
21. Every human being is valuable. No one person is more valuable than anyone else.
22. Giving is better than taking.
23. Find time to laugh. Laughter really is the best medicine.
24. We can have more than one soul mate.
25. Natural is better than synthetic.
26. Friends and family and pets are what life is all about. Love in all its forms.
27. Start saving money when you are young. Save for a rainy day and save for retirement.
28. Material possessions are worthless. Don't obsess over having the latest, greatest and best of anything.
29. It's never too late to start over.
30. Think positively. What you think becomes your reality.
31. Don't live in your head. Your ego loves to tell stories that are simply not true. Let your thoughts come and go like clouds in the sky.
32. Keep it simple stupid.
33. Life is cyclical. If things are going poorly for you, remember that things will change. And if things are going well for you, remember that things will change.
34. Look for the beauty in the little things in life - the way the sun shines through the clouds, the way a bird sings a song in the forest.
35. There really is nothing to fear but fear itself. Fear will keep you from living an amazing life if you let it.
36. Let your kids be who they want to be and do what they want to do.
37. Don't try control everything. It's impossible.
38. Let go of anger as soon as you notice it. Anger hurts you more than the person you are angry with.
39. It's ok to be vulnerable. Don't put up walls. The only person you hurt with your walls is yourself.
40. Be ok with not being right.
41. Be open to constructive criticism. The only way to learn, grow and improve is listen to feedback.
42. Change is good. Change can be exciting. Change will happen whether you like it or not.
43. You can handle anything thrown at you. You have no idea how strong you are until your are tested. You are so strong!
44. There is no such thing as perfect. Just do your best.
45. Instead of trying to avoid pain, lean in to it. Feel it fully. Understand it. Learn from it. Then let it go.

Comment below with your life lessons!

I've always been impatient. I rush through everything in life. It's a race for me. How fast can I drive to work? Ooops! I got a speeding ticket. How fast can I get my work done? Oh, you say I work too hard and I don't socialize enough? Hmmm. How fast can I make dinner? Oh no! I burned dinner! Again!

Do you remember the Adam Sandler movie Click? In the movie, he gets a magical remote control that allows him to fast forward through his life. So he starts using the remote control to quickly get through the parts of his life that he deems unimportant. Just a little at first. And then more and more. And then suddenly he's old and alone and he realizes in hindsight that he fast forwarded through all of the important parts of his life. Of course he regrets ever using the remote control at all.

That movie touched me deeply at the time because I have always focused on the end result. I want to get to the finish line and I don't want to waste time getting there. I turn into a machine sometimes, checking tasks off as I go without much awareness of anything going on around me. Multitasking, working on auto pilot. Not tuned into the present moment at all. Missing out on important parts of my life.

I can't help it! Sometimes I would love to be able to fast forward through certain things in life. Like driving. I hate driving! But I have to remind myself to slow down and be present. The entire journey is the goal, not the end destination. Every minute of every day is important. Even driving. I don't want to look back at the end of my life and wish I hadn't sped through most of it.

Take Time to Wander
I rush to and fro every day, taking my daughter to preschool on the same route, doing the shopping at the same places. I pass by interesting coffee shops, grocery stores and restaurants and think "Someday..." I'm too busy today. Years pass by this way. Well, guess what? I'm always going to be too busy! Someday is today! We are here to learn and grow and explore, not just get through the routines of life. I finally took a Nia class last week and I really enjoyed it! Nia is a barefoot cardio-dance workout combining dance arts, martial arts, and healing arts. It's a workout for your body, mind, emotion, and spirit. Nia is an excellent way to slow down and be present. Another good way to slow down and be present is to drive a different route than normal. Whenever I find myself driving around Portland looking for something I automatically slow down to admire all of the beautiful homes and yards. People really take great pride in their homes here so it's a joy to wander through neighborhoods. Get out of your routine and step out of your comfort zone. Explore your world. Open your mind and your heart and try something new. Nourish your inner wanderer!

Reconnect with Nature
I run at a nearby park several times a week but I rarely pay attention to what's going on around me. Running is just another task I need to complete. And I'm usually in my head plotting and planning my life away! But upon the suggestion of a friend, I've started to walk more than run. I get out of my head, put my to do list aside for a few minutes and really tune into nature. I watch the squirrels gathering nuts and running up and down the trees with ease. I watch the wind blow the leaves on the trees and smell the flowers. I listen to the birds sing. Nature moves at a slower pace. Being present in nature helps you slow down. Get outside and walk around the block, take a hike, or even just sit on your porch and be attentive for a couple of minutes. You'll feel refreshed and energized.

Simplify Your Life
Sometimes I like to think I'm superwoman, able to handle anything and everything that gets thrown at me. And then I get so frazzled, running around like a crazy lady and I wonder why I always have so much to do. But I do this to myself! And I can stop doing it to myself too. I am in control. I don't have to subscribe to every newsletter, join every writing group, take every writing and marketing course I learn about, read every magazine and newsletter that gets sent to me, use every coupon I come across, and be on every social media platform out there. I get to a point every now and then where I have to cut back and simplify or I'll go stark, raving mad! Pick and choose what's most important to you and just say "no" to everything else. Throw away, give away, unsubscribe, cancel and downsize whatever you can live without and simplify your life. You'll find more time for the important things in life like making memories and having fun with family and friends. And you'll find that you're enjoying the journey more.