50 Things I’ve Learned So Far

In honor of my 50th birthday this week, I’m sharing 50 things I’ve learned so far. Warning, this is going to be a long one, but worth it.

In no particular order:

1. Sunsets are beautiful, but sunrises are magical
2. Time spent with people you love is always time well spent
3. Giving someone the gift of your full attention is the best gift of all
4. You are whole, complete and lovable just as you are
5. Experiences vs Stuff, although I do like nice stuff!
6. There is always more to the story
7. Sunshine makes everything better
8. True friendship is priceless
9. Your ability to receive love from another is determined by how much you love yourself
10. I don’t want to live in a world without tater tots
11. Perspective is everyting
12. We are capable of so much more than we realize
13. The Universe wants you to succeed
14. Faith – whatever that means for you, is a huge source of strength
15. Dogs are the best, even when they steal your pillow
16. Being Alex and Ryan’s mom is the greatest honor of my life
17. Being married to Gary is something I wake up grateful for every day
18. Everyone deserves to be with someone that sees the best version of them. Thank you Gary for being that person for me.
19. Good things take work. Just because it isn’t easy doesn’t mean it isn’t meant to be
20. We all need a tribe
21. Small moves forward count as much as big ones
22. Momentum is your friend or foe, so choose your actions accordingly
23. Laughter is essential to life
24. Tears are too
25. It’s normal to want more, but it doesn’t mean that you aren’t enough now
26. Shine your light – always
27. Stop worrying about what your purpose is
28. Say I love you
29. Say I’m sorry
30. Make time for your marriage, your kids and those that matter most to you
31. Do things that make you happy
32. Naps are the most under appreciated part of childhood
33. The right shoes on the right day really can change your life
34. Each day is a new beginning, find solace, peace, joy and encouragement in that
35. Sometimes, doing something because it will make for a good story is all the reason you need
36. We all have our own paths. Respect yours and give others grace for theirs
37. Letting others help you is as important as you helping others
38. Being in nature feeds my soul
39. Travel is one of my favorite things, but so is coming home
40. It’s okay to change course, re-evaluate and do something different
41. Contrast is part of life and it doesn’t have to be a bad thing
42. Smiles are the best, give them out with reckless abandon
43. There really is enough for all of us to have whatever we desire
44. Sometimes you should just eat the cake – and love every bite of it
45. We all need someone we can confide in and know they will not judge us and love us unconditionally
46. Say yes to things that push you, stretch you and sometimes scare you
47. Second guessing what you could have done or should have been doesn’t serve anyone
48. Beaches in the winter and mountain towns in the summer
49. Your home should nurture you. It doesn’t have to be big or lavish, but it should feed your soul
50. It’s okay to not know the answer and what’s next

I can’t wait to see what I discover in my next 50 years.

Cheers!
Nicole