25 Things I've Learned in 25 Years

Today is my 25th birthday! I'm officially a quarter of a century year old...it never seems like I'd actually be this age, yet here I am! I thought I'd take a few moments to write down 25 things I've learned about life in my 25 years of life. Some items are things I wish I could tell my younger self, and some are what I feel to be universal life truths. Either way, I had a lot of fun compiling this list!

1. Babies and the elderly have a lot in common. Working with either group requires a lot of the same skill sets.
2. Your parents were young once, too. They’re probably strict because they don’t want you to make the same mistakes they did. (Same goes for your teachers, coaches, etc...)
3. Live your life somewhere between “what if something goes wrong” and “what the heck, let’s do this” 
4. Don’t date someone you couldn’t (realistically) see yourself marrying.
5. Nothing good happens after midnight, but that’s when all the best memories are made...
6. Stay close with your siblings. One day your parents will be gone, and they’ll be the closest thing you have to them.
7. Earning a living is important, but it shouldn’t be the most important thing in your life.
8. No one on any end of the political spectrum has all the answers. 
9. You don’t have to agree with everyone on everything, but you can (and should) still have a good dialogue with them.
10. Don’t shy away from someone because they’re objectively different from you. You have a lot to learn from each other.
11. The devil is in the comments section.
12. Arguing with someone online rarely ends well, and it almost never convinces anyone of your point.
13. Spend time with your family. One day they’ll be gone and all you’ll have is memories.
14. Learn about your family history, however good, bad, fascinating, or boring it may be. If you don’t know, how will future generations know where they came from?
15. It’s okay to be sad, even depressed, sometimes. However, don’t be afraid to seek help if you aren’t able to leave that dark place.
16. Success is always great, but it doesn’t build character. Failure is one of the greatest teachers on earth.
17. Don’t waste your time comparing yourself to people who seem to have their lives together. They probably don’t either, and that’s okay. 
18. Kindness, empathy, and humility are underrated qualities in a person.
19. Never chastise people for their career choice. We aren’t all supposed to be doctors, lawyers, and engineers, although we need those, too. If it makes you happy, and you’re able to honestly earn a living wage, what does it matter?
20. Don’t forget where you came from and who was with you when you were nothing.
21. The best food usually comes from a hole-in-the-wall, mom-and-pop restaurant. Plus, it’s always great to support a local business! 
22. You can’t be the best at everything—it’s impossible. Don’t let that stop you from trying something new, like salsa dancing! 
23. There are no coincidences in life. Hone your ability to identify God’s hand at work in your life, even in the smallest of instances.
24. Your high school years are some of the most important, painful, awkward, and largely insignificant years of your life. 
25. Trust yourself, but trust God a little more. Faith is something important to carry with you in life, however it may look for you.