Monday 29 September 2014

12 Things I Wish I Knew Before 32...A Birthday Manifesto of Sorts



I have come across some truths in life - gleaned from the little bit of experience I have started to collect. 

1. Assessing someone based on one meeting, one moment or even a lifetime of moments, is not nearly enough information to pass judgement on...at least sit with them and have coffee first, truth of character is more easily ascertained over something hot and caffeinated. 

2. I am an introvert. It's not a disease, it's just a quieter form of existence. I accept it.

3. Experiencing love and laughter, grief and tears really does rub those rough edges off of the person I thought I was, and makes me the person that I was created to be.

4. Friendship isn't difficult to maintain when I only expect the other person to be who God created them to be.

5. My happiness depends on only one person: Me.

6. If, when I am standing up for myself, I demean the person I am standing up to, then I have only succeeded in diminishing my own character.

7. Forgiving people isn't just hard, it's necessary.

8. Focusing on ME ME ME, opens me up to diseases of the soul like anger, bitterness, pride, and unforgiveness.

9. Not wanting to do something doesn't negate the fact that I CAN do it - and feel better once it's done.

10. The number of "likes" I get on Facebook, though nice, do not determine my self worth.

11. Parenting is the greatest, amazing, most difficult journey, that I so desperately want to get right.

12. Change should actually be called growth - and growth is a slow, steady forward movement that may take days, months or years where successes are reached step by step.

For those of you who have just a few years on 32,  you may relate to an assessment made frequently by George R.R. Martin, "You know nothing, Jon Snow." I can only contend this, you are probably right.  As I consider these statements, I have come to realize that the only way I can operate my life in these truths is to have Christ at the very center and core of myself, and put my relationship with him first. Because when it is finally not about ME, and instead is about Christ, I can hope to bring his light and love into the world. It is only then I can hope to walk in the greatest love, shown to me in the lives of people like CS Lewis, Fred Rogers and Irena Sendler. That is my mandate, that is my goal, to listen to and love this world, and I am excited for the adventure!






1 comment:

  1. Beautifully written, it is such a revelation to know it is not about me, and it never was....

    ReplyDelete

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