21 Lessons I've Learned in 21 Years

I turned 21 this past week, and it got me thinking about what lessons I’ve learned throughout life. I certainly don’t have everything figured out, but I’d like to share these 21 lessons from my 21 years with you!

1. The world does not revolve around me.

Be sincere. Be kind and help others without expectations from them in return. Go out of your way to do good works in someone’s life. Don’t roll through the motions and get caught up in your own tangle of messes. There is something freeing about helping others out in theirs.

2. Life is now.

Some of you may be thinking “What am I gonna do with my life?! I don’t know what my life holds for me.” What are you looking for or waiting for? What is it that you think is going to fulfill you or make you feel like you’re actually living? Well this moment right here right now is living. This very moment right now in this instance is life. What are you doing with your life now?

3. The little things matter.

Look at a simple sunset. There is some beauty no amount of makeup, product, money, fame, or editing can even compare to. It's time to embrace the little things and find joy in them. Look for some objects in the clouds and pick a few dandelions today. Don't get so caught up in this world that you forget to fully LIVE and see how beautiful this life really is.    

4. Everyone is struggling with something.

Everyone has their own troubles. Everybody’s got something going on. Don’t judge someone just because they sin differently than you. Understand that everyone is the way they are for a reason. Remember that everyone is beautiful.

5. Life is not a competition.

It’s not meant to be a showdown to see who can earn the most money or who can make themselves look the best. It’s not meant to be a battle of beauty or wealth or material things. Life is meant to be a gift. It is meant to be a way for you to reflect your relationship with Christ. What matters at the end of this life is how you loved, how you spread the love of God around, what impact you made, and who you cared for. That is what will remain when your time is done. Not comparisons, not material things, not beauty or money or possessions.

Please refer to my Not a Competition blog :)

6. No one is perfect.

You were made to be special and unique and extraordinary and amazing. You weren’t made to look at what you don’t have compared to what others do. You were made to shine by being who you are, who God made you to be. Not what the world says you should be or who you think you want to be like.

7. Sometimes wrong turns lead to purposeful plans.

God is so good. And it’s not always easy to see or understand or have clarity with what’s going on. But each day, there is goodness, and there is love, and there is peace. You have to choose to accept it and embrace it and have faith in it. Even when you take a wrong turn.

Please refer to my Taking a Wrong Turn blog :)

8. I will fail.

There will be times of trial, there will be bumps in the road, and there will be obstacles to keep you from moving forward. Don’t let small setbacks keep you from pursuing what you want or living out your purpose. As Thomas Edison said, “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”

9. There is power in a positive attitude.

If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your way of thinking about it. Redirect your attitude. Remember that life is a gift - don’t ruin the contents. Choosing positive thinking provides you with confidence, vibrant health, and true beauty. Your life is great. You just have to allow it to be.

Please refer to my Power of a Positive Attitude blog :)

10. Don’t give to get.

Try not to get so caught up in your own life and your own busy schedule that you become consumed with only those things that pertain to you. Start giving instead of taking. Start filling instead of removing. Bring light where there is darkness. Become aware of the world around you. Let go of selfishness.

11. I am loved.

Each and every day you are loved by God, the one who put the stars in the sky and the creatures in the sea. He cares for you, He loves you, and believe it when I say that you have nothing to prove. You are loved.

Please refer to my You Are Loved blog :)

12. Ice cream is good.

Reward yourself. Don’t feel guilty. Sometimes you just deserve some good ole’ ice cream.

13. Channel your inner child.

Don’t be afraid to think like a child. Learn from them. Grow with them. Dream like them. Listen to Jesus, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

14. Prayer is powerful.

Ask God for strength, for deliverance, for guidance. Pray for the right mindset, for positivity, for an uplifting attitude. Use the power of prayer to shake off the devil. He normally attacks when he knows you are about to move mountains. Don’t let the world or your own thoughts keep you from moving those mountains. Pray. About everything. Watch your life become more radiant, peaceful, uplifting, and powerful.

15. Things get better.

Sometimes good things will fall apart so better things can come together. God doesn’t close a door without opening another. Rejection is redirection. When God pushes you, He will either catch you or teach you how to fly. See the light, not the dark. Things will get better. God knows what’s best for your life.

16. Worrying does not change the outcome.

You don’t need to fear or worry about what is to come. The future isn’t even here yet. It doesn’t exist. So quit worrying about the outcome or the results in the long run when all you can control is the now. Take a deep breath and learn to be content. Ask God to place love, happiness, and peace in your heart. God is far too great, life is far too short, and you are far too wonderful to let any worries keep you from true happiness.

17. Stop and slow down.

Slow down. Take a deep breath. The only thing that is now is this moment. So soak it in, and fully live in the present. Embrace this moment and have faith in whatever will be. You do not know what tomorrow holds, and you cannot change the past. So take this moment, this minute, this second, and live. Slow down, and take life one day at a time.

Please refer to my Going Through the Motions blog :)

18. I can’t please everyone.

The world will say I’m not pretty enough, smart enough, wise enough, tall enough, small enough. But I’m not here to live for the world. I’m here to live for Christ. And so are you.

Please refer to my Pleasing People blog :)

19. Don’t assume.

Give your mind a break and relax. Life is too short to spend so much time on situations that don’t exist. Don’t jump to conclusions. Be happy, and be light. Be still and have faith. Trust and love.

20. Forgive and let go.

The past mistakes, the heartaches, the failures - they’re all in the past. They do not live with you in this moment unless you give them life. You’re being moved forward. Don’t set yourself back. Dwelling and wishing and worrying and replaying things over and over in your head is only hindering the progress God has in store for you to make. It is restricting you from the glorious present right here and right now. Forgive. Let go.

Please refer to my Letting Go: 5 Ways to Let the Past Be the Past blog :)

21. I am a messterpiece.

While although you are a mess, you are also a masterpiece. Let go of comparing. Let go of thinking you are not enough. Let go of wishing your life away. Hold onto compliments instead of comparisons. Hold onto the plan God has for you. Hold onto your passions and gifts. Hold onto this wonderful gift called life. Speak truth to your comparisons. Free yourself. Find yourself.

Love who God has made you to be.