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12 Things I Have Learned in the Past 12 Months of 2017

2017 was a year of growth.

Bethany Cambeis

Dec 26, 2017

Liberty University

1203

12 Things I Have Learned in the Past 12 Months of 2017

Bethany Cambeis

As 2017 ends, I notice that my life has changed a lot from the beginning of the year to now. I have lost relationships and gained ones, changed my major, starting writing for the Odyssey (WOW) and so many more experiences.

I have learned a lot about myself and life, but there are some key thoughts that stand out to me.

1. Be Yourself

This mantra can be cliched, but I cannot think of two better words to live by. The right people will come to you and love you just the way that you are. Do not change or altar pieces of yourself to please unnecessary people.

2. Love yourself

Self-confidence and self-love are beautiful. If I do not love myself, then how can I expect others to love me for being myself?

3. People will come and go

Some people are only meant to be in a season of your life and that is okay. Do not cling too tightly to relationships that are not there. Life constantly changes and the people that come in and out of your life change too.

4. Family really is forever

No matter how annoying I can be, my family cannot get rid of me (LOL, sucks). By blood or not, your family is the people there for you through thick and thin. Cherish and love them with your everything.

5. Do not be afraid to use the “L” word

Love. This is a word that takes a while to leave my lips. But, I really do love the people in my life and I want my love for these people to be something unquestionable to them. If that means saying “I love you” loud and proud, then so be it.

6. Do what makes you happy

If this means eating a pint of Ben & Jerry’s at 1 a.m., running in fields barefoot or singing the lyrics to every Ke$ha song with windows down for the world to hear, DO IT. It is the little things that make us happy and keep us living the amazing lives that we do.

7. It is okay to spend a Friday night curled up in a blanket, wear plaid pajama pants, snuggle your teddy bear, and binge-watch New Girl

Make all the memories in college that you can, but it is okay if those memories include lazy nights in and rejuvenation time for yourself.

8. A couple of cheat meals are okay and there is no reason to fall off the wagon completely

Having a few cheat days and eating crappy food with friends (or by yourself) is super fun and I advise everyone to go out and splurge on a Cinnamon Sensation from Macado’s occasionally! Cheat days are the definition of enjoying a balanced lifestyle.

9. I am not perfect AND THAT IS NORMAL

I have acne. My hair gets frizzy. My skin is super oily. I have stomach rolls when I sit down (DUDE sometimes even when I stand up.) I am super awkward. Embracing the many flaws that I have is a beautiful and freeing thing.

10. Be spontaneous

Spontaneity puts a grin on my face. Go with the flow of life and freely take part in the memories that it gives you.

11. Homework will always be there

Homework is important, but homework should not make up your life. It is okay to put the book down at times and experience life.

12. I am so incredibly loved

Romans 8:39

There is absolutely NOTHINGthat I can do, good or bad, that will stop God’s love for me and that is a beautiful thing!!!

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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12 Things I Have Learned in the Past 12 Months of 2017

2017 was a year of growth.

1. Be Yourself

2. Love yourself

3. People will come and go

4. Family really is forever

5. Do not be afraid to use the “L” word

6. Do what makes you happy

7. It is okay to spend a Friday night curled up in a blanket, wear plaid pajama pants, snuggle your teddy bear, and binge-watch New Girl

8. A couple of cheat meals are okay and there is no reason to fall off the wagon completely

9. I am not perfect AND THAT IS NORMAL

10. Be spontaneous

11. Homework will always be there

12. I am so incredibly loved

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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