Fifty Years, Fifty Lessons

Sometimes, in order to work through a fear, you just have to face it head-on. You can’t always think your way through it.

Nature gives me all the beauty I need. Sometimes stepping outside is enough.

Boundaries, boundaries, boundaries. Not everyone deserves unlimited access to you.

The best things in life really are free.

When you’re feeling down, look up. The sky has a way of reminding you there’s something bigger than whatever is weighing on you.

Laughter really is the best medicine. No matter how I’m feeling, a really good laugh always makes me feel a little better.

Being a mom is the hardest and most rewarding job I’ve ever had.

Say what you mean and mean what you say. Life is easier when people don’t have to guess where they stand with you.

Actions really do speak louder than words. Words matter, but consistency tells the truth.

You can be a kind person and still not wish everyone well. Sometimes wishing them nothing at all is perfectly fine.

You may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but you will be someone’s favorite flavor. Don’t water yourself down trying to be liked by everyone.

Trying to make someone like you who clearly doesn’t is a waste of your time and energy. Spend that energy on the people who appreciate you.

TRUST YOUR INTUITION!! It usually knows long before your brain is ready to admit it.

Pretending to be someone you’re not is exhausting. Just be yourself.

Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. You can be beautiful on the outside, but if you’re ugly on the inside, eventually that’s all people will see.

Being honest and having integrity will always bring you peace. You may not always like the outcome, but you’ll be able to live with yourself.

You really can’t take care of anyone else if you’re not taking care of yourself. Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish—it’s necessary.

Most love comes with conditions, but unconditional love isn’t impossible. It takes a whole lot of understanding, acceptance, and forgiveness.

You can love someone and still know that, for your own good, they can’t be part of your life anymore. Love doesn’t always mean access.

Being kind and being nice are two very different things. Kindness comes from who you are. Being nice can sometimes mean ignoring what you really feel just to keep the peace.

Take your own advice! Sometimes the great advice you’re giving everyone else is exactly what you need to hear yourself.

Never assume! If you don’t know, just ask.

No response is a response. Silence can tell you everything you need to know.

If they WANTED to, they would. Stop making excuses for people who keep showing you where you fall on their priority list.

Embracing aging is so much easier than fighting it. Every year is proof that I’m still here—and that’s worth celebrating.

There’s something about slow, quiet mornings that makes the whole day better. Sometimes the best way to start the day is simply not to rush.

There is beauty everywhere when you slow down long enough to notice it. Sometimes the smallest, simplest things are the most beautiful.

Dogs are one of the purest examples of unconditional love. We really don’t deserve them. ❤️🐾

It costs zero dollars to be kind. A little kindness can mean more than you’ll ever know.

You never really know what someone else is going through. What you see on the outside rarely tells the whole story.

Sometimes changing your perspective can change your whole life. The situation may not change, but the way you see it can.

Reiki isn’t just a bunch of woo. It actually works. Sometimes you have to experience something for yourself before you understand it.

Your thoughts have more power than you realize. Be careful what you repeatedly tell yourself—you’re listening.

Energy doesn’t lie. You can feel when something is off, even when someone’s words are saying all the right things.

Happiness is a choice. You can’t always control what happens or how you initially feel about it, but you can choose not to let one bad moment ruin the rest of your day.

The older you get, the less important some things become. Ten years ago I wouldn’t leave the house unless I looked my best. Now? I’ll happily leave looking a little crazy. 😂

Love isn’t just a feeling. It’s an action. It’s something you choose to show, not just something you say.

Marriage is hard work! Loving someone for a lifetime takes effort, patience, forgiveness, and choosing each other over and over again.

Some of the most important work you’ll ever do will never come with a paycheck. Its value can’t always be measured in money.

Grief and joy can exist at the same time. You can miss what was and still be grateful for what is.

Not everything needs a big celebration. Sometimes quiet gratitude means more than a room full of people.

Even positive people have negative days. Being human is hard, and sometimes the world just sucks.

It’s hard to stay soft and kind in a world filled with so much cruelty, but it’s so worth it. Don’t let the hardness of the world harden you.

It’s important to be responsible and work hard, but it’s just as important to have fun. Life is meant to be enjoyed, not just managed.

Being blocked or unfriended can actually be a blessing and a gift. Sometimes people remove themselves from your life and save you the trouble. 😂

You cannot change other people. Sometimes all you can do is plant a seed, step back, and let them decide what’s right for their own journey.

Letting go of trying to control what’s out of your control is one of the most freeing things you can do. Some things simply aren’t yours to manage.

NO is a complete sentence. You don’t owe anyone an excuse or explanation for the choices you make for your own life.

Judging other people often says a whole lot more about you than it does about the person you’re judging.

There will always be people who don’t like you, for whatever reason. The most important thing is that you love yourself.