Things I have learned

Some time ago I read a wonderful passage by Omar B. Washington titled Things I Have Learned. You should seriously google him and find it. It is phenomenal. I have been thinking, thinking, thinking ever since about all the things I have learned in my short life and I finally decided to write them down. I don’t profess to be as eloquent or profound as Mr. Washington but these are my life lessons ya know? They are real. Some are silly but that doesn’t make them any less real.

~ I have learned that everyone makes mistakes and everyone needs forgiveness. It is okay to make mistakes as long as you say you are sorry, make it right and learn. If you don’t do the afore mentioned three it becomes much more than a mistake. It becomes a travesty.

~I have learned no man is an island. We need each other. We need a hand to pull us up when we fall and we need a friend to tell us when we are being stupid. We need someone to listen and someone to listen to. Needing someone is not weak. Trying to do everything on your own is. (Can I have some sappy music with this one?)

~I have learned being a parent is the hardest job in the universe. Oh, and it’s really underpaid.

~I have learned that the love I feel for my children, the overwhelming, unending, amazing love I feel is the same love Jesus has for me. After all, I am his child. I really could not grasp this until my first was born.

~I have learned it is better to just let some people go.

~I have learned the scriptures are true. It rains on the just and the unjust, there are seasons for everything, and if you judge you will be judged.

~I have learned there are different kinds of judging. God’s judgement is not for me. Judge Judy’s job is not for me. However, me thinking someone is high for going out of the house with certain clothing attire, make up, piercings and/or hairstyles is an okay kind of judging.

~I have learned peanut butter and bananas do taste pretty awesome together.

~I have learned it is okay to feel overwhelmed, have meltdowns, cry, scream and give in to bad days. Just so it is not everyday.

~I have learned there is not much out there some good chocolate and a new pair of shoes can’t fix. Except maybe the situation in the Middle East.

~I have learned there are really only two kinds of old people; nice and not nice. That’s it.

~I have learned mean people suck. There is no reason for meanness. Ever.

~I have learned my kids know more than I think. They hear more than I am aware and they understand far more than I want them to.

~I have learned sticks and stones may break my bones but words can really hurt me. Dr. McDreamy can fix a broken bone but it takes years to get over things said. This knowledge has made me aware of every word that comes out of my mouth. I am human and I still say things I shouldn’t but I am more careful. I don’t want to be responsible for someones therapy bill years down the line.

~I have learned we should listen to our mothers. They are older, have been through far more and presumably, are wiser. 

~I have learned I should know my kids friends and their friends parents. I have learned to ask their teachers who they are hanging out with and what kind of kids they are. I have learned it pays to be informed. I have also learned to check their text messages.

~I have learned life is only as complicated as we make it.

~I have learned love is a decision, not a feeling or emotion.

~I have learned one should make informed, rational, brain-related decisions. Decisions based on thought not emotions. Your feelings may be passionate but they are also fleeting and if you make a decision based on them your screwed. It’s a big mess you have to clean up.

~I have learned we have all, at some point in the past (if we’ve lived long enough) or will in the future made/make decisions based on emotion. Apparently it’s one of those life lessons best learned personally.

~I have learned no matter how hard I try or how much I want to I am just not a good cook. There I said it.

~I have learned life is meant to be lived. It is short and we only get one chance.

~I have learned to not live with regrets. I have regrets but I choose to not dwell on them or live my present with them in mind. Clarifying here.

~I have learned the world does not stop for ANYONE. No matter the heartbreak, no matter the situation, no matter how much you want it to. It just doesn’t stop.

~I have learned it is hard to change a poopie diaper in an airplane bathroom.

~I have learned to use spellcheck. Always. Spelling matters. So does grammer, puncuation and vocabulary. It matters people.

~I have learned having three boys in Little League is enough. It was over the top for me to volunteer to be a team mom too.

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