Lessons

One great thing about the Internet is that if you try hard enough, you never really have to come up with your own ideas. You can politely steal brilliance from other people and pawn it off as your own.

I'm doing this today.

Heather B. at No Pasa Nadawrote a post the other day titled "A Lesson Before 25."My favorite lesson from her list:

"Though you may be full of envy and jealousy, just be happy on the outside. It will make you feel better to let your friends know that their happiness is far better than your own stupidity."

So, without further ado, here's some of my own wisdom, garnered from my 25 (plus) years:

• Never underestimate the importance of correct grammar and punctuation
• As often as you can, choose to be kinder than a situation warrants
• Sending a random card/gift to someone in your life absolutely has the power to change their day, their month, their year (and yours, too)
• Give advice only (no, really, only) when you're asked for it
• Every truth can be given with tact
• Tequila in moderation, kids. Push the envelope with a lot of things but less is absolutely more when it comes to tequila.
• Paper trails can potentially kick your ass, so leave them with caution
• Make eye contact. If you're going to take the time to communicate with someone—even if it's simply with the mailman—have the civility to look them in the eye.
• I'm not one to give makeup advice, but a good mascara is not a shabby investment, my friends
• Write. Read. Travel. Explore. Learn. Teach. Laugh.
• Add a pinch of salt to all your baking recipes
• Don't do anything—drink a certain beer, listen to a certain band, wear a certain brand—because you think it'll make you look cool
• Take notes. You'll never remember all you think you will without a little help.
• Keep plans more than you cancel them
• Screw his degree or his pedigree or his choice in clothes or how he folds a towel—choose a partner who makes you laugh, who listens to you when you speak and who introduces you with a smile on his face
• Eat more vegetables and drink more water ...
• ... but don't always pass on dessert or carbs or that second glass of wine, either
• And, finally, don't gossip about your friends

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In other news, thanks for all the lovely comments on this post and this one. I sometimes want to have you all over for dinner and drinks and conversation. Maybe one day I will, but it's going to have to wait until I can drink again, too. I like you a lot, but there are few people I like enough to cook for AND serve from my champagne stash. Until then, know I'm going to keep your lovely words in my head. I won't let them be knocked out anymore.

Comments

[Kristabella]

Dude, the random card and/or thank you card is huge! One from my SIL/niece for her birthday made my week last week!

Also, a good rule:

Advice asked for = advice

Advice not asked for = ASSvice

[Larissa]

Great life lessons. I really love your "make eye contact with people" one. So true!

[jodifur]

I'm totally stealing this tomorrow!

[Raven]

Everything is making me cry today.

The bit at the end of this did too!

I LOVE the one about the partner that introduces you with a smile on your face. L-O-V-E.

[Jen L.]

Great list! I was recently inspired by a story I read in Glamour (yes, Glamour) to do a lifetime to-do list, kind of like this. It's so important to stop and inventory your life like this every once in a while. Keeps you true to yourself!

[Kerri Anne]

I love taking notes, on REAL paper, even though Chris laughs at me every time I do it. There is just something about a pen on paper that is so tangible, and like you said: helpful! too.

Here's to growing smarter and more thankful with each passing year.

Loves.

[wee-h]

"Sending a random card/gift to someone in your life absolutely has the power to change their day, their month, their year (and yours, too)"

or commenting on their blog, just to say how much you enjoy it. :)

[Shelly]

All of those are so, so true. Great list.

[auntie]

love this list! i totally thought the first one would be my favorite - because...seriously, when the big head-honcho-type managers at work can't figure out how to use spell check, for crying out loud, there is something really wrong in the world - but then they kept getting better and better! and can i just second and third and fourth the one about tequila? oh boy.

[Lane]

I think I broke your rule #4 by giving you advice that you didn't ask for. Please just ignore whatever in the heck I told you. Thanks!

[Angella]

Great, great list, Jennifer! Nor surprising, coming from you...

:)

[Krameymartin]

I totally agree on the mate-choosing advice. Though when he drives me crazy, I have to remind myself WHY I picked my hubby-dearest, he's TOTALLY worth it.