30 Years, 30 Thoughts
Dear Reader,
Welp, it’s official. I’m old.
Just kidding—kind of.
I did turn 30 this month and I am feeling it in my bones, my neck, my tummy, my back (ha, yes I’m that old)…call it postpartum, or stress, or just aging, but those aches and pains arrived right on schedule. I have a daily skincare routine, I make shakes to make sure I’m eating enough protein and collagen and fiber, I workout, I make sure to take my meds and vitamins on time so I can be a “responsible, functioning adult.”
Those aches and pains have brought even more wisdom and perspective, though. I’ve accumulated more than my fair share of “Aha!” moments in the past thirty years, and I thought I’d share a few here for posterity’s sake.
Before I dive in, I want to take a moment to give a proper shoutout to the ladies that helped make my new headshots happen:
Make-Up: Chandler Rigsby over at 2 Brunettes Hair Company
Hair: Hannah Hamm at Stacey’s Ultimate Image Salon & Spa
Photos: Kalee Gapinski (Kalee’s Adventures)
Locations: The Hive Coffee & Bakehouse and Hall Place Bed & Breakfast
And a big shoutout to my mom, Amy, for spending the day with my kiddos so I could step out to get it all done!
Which brings me to my first note— if you can’t do something by yourself, don’t be afraid to go out and find help creating your vision. You have a voice, so use it.
Now on to the important part:
We are spiritual beings having an earthly experience, not the other way around. Exist accordingly.
"We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion." — Robin Williams as John Keating in ‘Dead Poet’s Society’
To everything there is a season.
Wear God’s goodness and grace wherever you go and you will always be dressed for the occasion.
Never wear a coat you wouldn’t be willing to lend to a friend.
Don’t give up what you want most for what you want right now.
Pray about it.
The most important things in life aren’t things.
People will tell you exactly who they are. Believe them the first time.
Let them.
Take time to rest.
Content may be king, but consistency is key.
Face to face is better than finger to finger.
Can’t never could.
Grief is just all the love we still have to give. — Andrew Garfield
Feel your feelings; sit with them. They’re trying to tell you something about yourself.
Don’t let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game. — A Cinderella Story
It ain’t about how fast I get there, it ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side. It’s the climb. — ‘The Climb’ by Miley Cyrus
Every successful day starts the night before.
The choice is always yours.
I’m not perfect, and I can’t be. Being “perfect” won’t make people stay.
If you wait until you’re ready to start, you never will.
Children are not a distraction from more important work, they are the most important work. — C.S. Lewis
Love is NOT all you need. Love is only where the magic begins.
Love needs action, trust needs proof, and sorry needs change.
Talent is a pursued interest. Anything you’re willing to practice, you can do. — Bob Ross
…It’s always darkest before the dawn… — ‘Shake It Out’ by Florence + the Machine
Try. Fail. Try again. Fail again. Trust the process, your success is in making the journey.
"Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.” —Robin Williams as John Keating in ‘Dead Poet’s Society’
What if it all works out? — Dr. Thornbury
My twenties brought me so much: world travel, a college degree, a loving marriage, three beautiful baby boys, a business and the beginning of another, a mortgage, an amazing network of found family and friends, a seed of faith that became a deep-rooted sequoia to last the ages, and a purpose:
