Here we are, embarking on the next legs of our journeys and taking the plunge into the great unknown that is the year ahead. Right now, we are faced with 365 blank pages that are that are ultimately going to be filled. As we are holding our breath, waiting to see what will fill in our unwritten stories, it is important to look back on lessons learned in the previous year. Here are 12 lessons that I learned in 2015:
Do not fear change.
Although transition periods always follow big and small changes in our lives, these times are often extremely beneficial. We have to embrace change in order to learn about ourselves, have new experiences, and undergo growth.
The quality of friendships that you have is far more important than the quantity.
As I grow older, I am realizing more and more that I don’t need 20 people to be my “best” friends. Having a couple true, supportive, and unconditional friendships is far more fulfilling and rewarding than having a small army of surface level relationships. Choosing whom to invest your time and energy intakes wisdom but is essential.
Everyone “grows up” at different paces.
The rate at which people emotionally mature can vary greatly. It is important to remember that the way you would choose to handle something or address an issue might be different than the way someone else would handle it. Stay true to yourself, your morals, and what you know is right no matter how others react to things.
Sometimes doing nothing is the best way to fix a situation.
I recently had a conversation with a close friend about “being still.” There are times in life where no matter what you do, a situation can’t be fixed by your actions. It is important to remember that “doing” might alleviate some anxiety, but it isn’t always the best solution. Being still and trusting in The Lord’s plan is many times the best way to find peace and solid solutions.
You can’t force anyone to love you.
In life, there will be people who will not feel the same way about you that you do about them. No matter what you do or say, you cannot control someone’s opinion about you or their feelings towards you. Accepting that this is out of your control is a key factor in finding happiness and letting go of what can’t be changed.
Never underestimate the power of kind words or a good hug.
You never know what someone might be going through. A simple compliment or affectionate touch could be the one good thing that a person experiences during a day. Never forget to be intentional about these things, because you could have more of a positive influence in someone’s day than you think.
Don’t take your home or your family for granted.
Going to college this year has taught me to appreciate my family and home more than I ever have before. When you no longer live at home 24/7, you realize how much your parents do for you. Also, you learn to be extra grateful for your bed, your own space, and food that isn’t mass produced in a dining hall. Enjoy every second that you get to spend with your family, because at some point it will become a privilege to see them and will no longer be a daily norm.
Choose your words wisely before you speak.
The words we say can change everything in an instant. They can cut someone like a knife or they can lift weight off of our shoulders. Our words can stick with someone for the rest of forever or they can be fleeting and insignificant. Thinking before we speak can determine the ultimate outcome of situations, relationships, friendships, and even opportunities.
Don’t let the fear of getting hurt stop you from taking chances with your heart.
If we constantly are scared of being let down, vulnerable, or getting hurt, then we will close ourselves off from a lot of opportunities that could lead to happiness. Just because someone has hurt you or betrayed you in the past, doesn’t mean that every time you let someone in it will go poorly. It is a beautiful thing to open your heart to others. Being guarded and shying away from something new out of fear is the best way to guarantee you’ll never evolve.
Pay attention to the way people talk about others.
The way that people talk about others is most likely the way that they will talk about you once you are no longer there. Use the way that people speak about others to help decide if they really deserve a place in your heart and in your life.
Accept that people change and are not always the same as who you remember them to be.
People will not stay the same forever. It is okay to remember someone in a positive light, but it will save you a lot of grief if you recognize people whom you loved and cared about at a certain time of your life might not be the same today that they were then. People change and that is totally okay, but do your best to alter your thinking and accept that. Appreciate who someone used to be, but acknowledge that who they are now might not be who you remember them to be.
Reflect and learn lessons every single day.
If we fail to take the time to reflect on our experiences, then we will never learn from our mistakes. The ultimate way to mature and grow is to review our days and identify takeaways from every experience.
The past year has been full of new experiences and challenging moments that have lead me to come to these conclusions. As I let my mind wander to milestones of 2015, I can’t help but appreciate how far I’ve come. I am not the same person that I was when I stood in a basement with my high school friends last New Year’s Eve. I have grown more than I could have ever imagined and I am so excited to see what the next year holds.
Let us embrace our lessons learned and look forward to all of the lessons that are still to be taught.
