This weekend i was asked two things:
1. When will you have kids?
2. What have you learned in your 25 years?
The first question was from my 12 year old cousin Dylan. i promptly answered with a “when i’m married” and cough-laughed. kids man – they ask the darndest things.
The second – was asked right before we started eating dinner last night. i had to really think about it – what “advice” could i give those coming after me…what can i tell them that i’ve learned in 25 years that they could maybe learn ahead of time. After a few minutes of thinking, it came rather easily.
1. God’s plans are bigger than mine, and I have to trust that.
2. Take chances – fear can steal a lot from you.
3. Never be afraid to make a fool out of yourself. (in the good way)
1. God’s plans are bigger than mine, and i have to trust that.
It’s true. God has bigger plans than i could ever dream up.
& his plans are often completely different than i had in mind.
growing up i never thought my life would look like it does today at 25.
parents in heaven – single – no babies – living with a roommate – owning a home – having a close relationship with my brother – super close with my family – learning from mistakes – actually enjoy cooking and cleaning…the list goes on.
some things i just wouldn’t trade.
i’ve learned from everything, death, life, joy, pain, frustration, celebration…all of it has a purpose.
i’ve learned that it is better, easier, and less stressful to just trust God.
2. Take chances – fear can steal a lot from you.
Man oh man.
i can be a fearful person.
i struggle with anxiety, worry, and fear on a daily basis.
what i’m learning is – what kind of life are you living if your’e not taking chances?
to follow God – you have to take chances, steps of faith.
to “broaden your horizons” you have to take chances.
to build deep relationships…you guessed it, take chances.
will you get hurt? yes. sometimes you will.
will it be worth it? not always – but you learn.
taking chances can be a beautiful thing.
i’m so glad i took the chance and went on my first over-seas vacation.
i’m still baffled that i actually did it and loved the whole experience.
i’ll continue to take more chances as each day passes.
some chances are small – others are bigger.
it doesn’t matter – just take a chance.
3. Never be afraid to make a fool out of yourself.
What does Amy Poehler say?
“there’s power in looking silly and not caring that you do”
that rings so true today.
i’m not talkin about shaming yourself or your family – that is foolish.
i’m talking about being yourself and not caring if it’s PC or if others will like you.
listen – i listen to weird music sometimes, i’m known to dance around the house in leg warmers, i’m loud, hyper, and overbearing, i sometimes start talking in a weird voice, i make weird faces – at the best and most inappropriate times. i’ll tell a guy who works at target i think he’s cute, i’ll play tag in a grocery store, i’ll randomly yell across an restaurant if i see someone – i just dont care.
i’m not disrespectful.
but i’m not afraid to make a fool out of myself.
it helps me to laugh, to grow, and to build relationships.
i’ve always said people respond to me in three ways:
they love me, they can’t stand me, they don’t know what to do with me.
either way.
i’m not afraid to make a fool out of myself.
So cheers to 25 years!
Thank you God for blessing me with this time, and Lord if it’s in Your will – here’s to 50+ more!
Okay, so I am SOOO behind in the blogging world, but I have sooo missed your blog! First of all, happy birthday!!! 🙂 I love this post. All of those things are wonderful advice. I struggle with believing that God's plans are bigger than my own. I never would have pictured myself to be where I am at this point in my life either, but I know that there is a purpose for this season in life.
And I don't take enough chances. You are so right when you say that fear steals from us. Regrets and nasty what if's haunt me. I gotta get out of my comfort zone and start taking a few chances. 🙂
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMY!!!!!! 🙂
Loved your words today! Wisdom like that is HARD to apply sometimes….Keep telling us! I'm pro at the no shame thing but theno fear – definitely need reminding.
Happy happy birthday! I am constantly reminding myself that God has the perfect plan for my life, and I know that to be true for you as well. He is going to do great things!
XOXO
Chelsea
http://anchorsaweigh-ouradventure.blogspot.com/
Best bday post I've ever read!
There is so much freedom in not being afraid to make a fool of yourself. It's my favorite thing. 🙂
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Aww, happy birthday!
Hope you had a fabulous birthday and I loved the things you would pass on to others it's so weird looking at what we've learnt in life so far.
I love kids and their weird questions my god children are a nightmare for that!
x
Happy Birthday girl!! God is going to bless you in SO MANY WAYS in the next year, I just know it!
Happy 25th, beautiful! Hope your day is oh so sweet! Hope I'm not sounding to much like a greeting card.
A few weeks back my 5 {I think he was actually 4 then, he recently had a birthday} nephew asked me when I was going to get married. We had just attended my 20-something nephew's wedding – yes, wedding!!! I have 2 nephews who are stretched way far apart in age. Yep, my oldest nephew said "I do" before me & then my youngest questions me about my unmarriedness. Nice. But, tis better to laugh about it than cry. I'm great at laughing {loved what you said about being goofy sometimes}. There's much to be joyful at in this life, including another year to live – praying God blesses you on this 25th chapter!
Love,
-Bess-
P.S.: I forgot, here's my e-mail: bessbagblog@yahoo.com – in case you want it. =)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY friend! 🙂
Wonderful life lessons, indeed!
Um, so this was probably the best post ever. I so loved all of the little lessons you've learned and the bits of advice that I not only agree with but have been trying to put into practice as well. God's plans are amazing–even if they are the complete opposite of what we would have planned! 🙂
I hope you had a lovely birthday, my friend and that this year brings many fun and new adventures for you!!!
Happy, happy, happy, happy birthday!!!!
happiest of birthdays, Amy, dear!!! I love those lessons and can totally shout a big "Amen!" to them! And yes, kids ask the funniest things. One of my 5 year old patients asked me (after I had assessed him and explained a whole list of things to his dad about his congestion symptoms he's been having), "are you smart?" I was like, Umm, I still have lots to learn, bud!
Happy Birthday sweet friend of mine. I absolutely loved this post 🙂
Happy belated birthday!! So sorry I'm seeing this post after-the-fact…but we've already had this conversation about vacations and blog reading and never getting caught up =( Hope your day was fantastic!
I love this post and I think you have put out some great words of wisdom. Happy Belated Birthday!
#2!! Yes, definitely. I know we've talked about this before, but I've struggled with those same things. Great lessons you have learned, my friend! Happy (very belated) birthday!
I have a wedding picture that is similar to this one. party times!!