Twenty Twentysomethings Lessons

It is the last day I will spend in my 20's.  (If I were Korean, I'd actually be considered 31 already and this list would be much less exciting).  I have dreaded, feared, worried about, and looked forward to this day, to this season of my life.  I'm always looking forward...when I was a teenager, I couldn't wait to "have it together" and start my grown up life, only to find out we're always trying to grow up.  Matt said it best in a letter written in 6th grade to his future self.  "Open when you are 25" it says.  Because we for sure will have it together by the time we're 25.  Here are a few lesson learned, observations about, and goals set in this wonderfully tumultuous decade:

1.  I didn't have it completely together when I was 25.  In fact, I don't think I'll ever really have it completely together, and that's OK.

2.  My failures were mine to make, mine to suffer through, and my responsibility to learn from.

3.  I am never alone in my suffering through #2.

4.  Karaoke will always bring out the best in people.  

5.  Being right feels nice for awhile but being humble feels better.

6.  I have too much stuff.

7.  Dumpster diving is the key to material happiness.

8.  Sleep cures colds, soothes anger, and is essential for happy relationships.

9.  Lack of sleep fosters colds, increases anger, and leads to the inevitable end of relationships.  I will try to be nicer during periods of reduced sleep.

10.  God is a mystery who reveals Himself in beautiful ways.  Science is an exciting mystery that we are privileged to discover.  We cannot know everything about either.  One does not explain, un-explain, prove, or disprove the other. 

11.  I will shut up and listen more this decade.

12.  I will finish my masters degree.  Because my husband wants me to and he really is right about this one.

13.  There are things in my control and things out of my control.

14.  I will not worry about things out of my control.  Letting that gray hair grow was a good start.

15.  I will acknowledge and be thankful for beauty and love and loyal animals.

16.  Keeping up with the Jones' is a bunch of baloney.  I will try to keep up with my dreams.

17.  Processed foods may lead to the death of domesticity but I will fight!  With tomatoes!

18.  Following through is not my forte, but I'll work on it.  Check back in 10 years when I'm forty.  (Ha!  Get it?  Forte, Forty?  Addendum to #18 - keep telling dumb jokes.)

19.  *People will always disappoint me but I should love them anyway (because I will always disappoint people and I'd like to be loved anyway, too).  *even though I sometimes don't refer to them as people, 9th graders are included in #19.

20. It is important to live the life intended for me.  It is also important to remember to enjoy it now, even if I am eagerly looking down the road to the next season of life, when I'll for sure have it together.