Since tomorrow I will be skipping the Friday Five, I thought I might skip back and do a Thursday Thirteen. When I first started blogging, I used to do a Thursday Thirteen list each week. Eventually, I ran out of ideas. Let’s face it, I’ve been blogging since 2005 and I think I may very well have made lists for almost every part of my life.
This week, I am going to write a list of thirteen things I have learned are important in life.
- Always tell the people in your life that you love them. Don’t miss that opportunity.
- Life is short. Don’t spend it being angry or carrying a grudge. Go forward.
- Find your joy! Find it and hold onto it and allow yourself to feel it.
- Remember that your children and grandchildren are the most important people in your life. Spend time reading to them, getting down on the floor and playing with them, laugh with them and when your kids are nearly grown or grown, remember to always listen to them. I saw a quote that said: Hearing is one of the senses, but listening is so important to learn. I’m still working on this!
- Remember to treat your friends like you would a beloved garden. Nurture them, care for them and never be too busy for them.
- Believe in something greater than yourself. I believe in God, and my faith has gotten me through some very tough times. My faith also gives me hope for the future.
- Go someplace. A beach, a field, a mountain top, somewhere and sit in the quiet. Hear the peace around you. I always love to go outside in the middle of a snowstorm and just stand there and listen to the silence. It lowers your blood pressure and trust me, it will put a smile on your face!
- Listen to music. Not just when you are in your car, but turn on a series of tunes when you are working around the house, doing laundry, etc. Make a playlist of your favorite songs and then…rock-on!
- Laugh! If you are having trouble finding things to laugh about, put on a good old comedy movie. Quite honestly, having 4 dogs gives me plenty of chuckles each day. That and the fact that I am a big klutz makes me laugh a lot. Laugh at the silly things you do. Don’t take everything to heart!
- Listen to the voices of your people when they call your name. A few weeks ago I entered my daughter’s home and the children both came running calling out my name…”OMA”! and my heart filled! Likewise when I hear my daughter call me Mom or Jack call me Hun, I smile because I know I am loved.
- Take a long walk. Through a forest, along the shore, and just breathe. Remember the things that make you love where you are walking.
- Take your time. Enjoy what you are doing, seeing, feeling, and believing. Don’t rush. Life goes by in a flash.
